Early Writings

Early Writings cover
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Technical
  • ID: 8431
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780140445749
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 1992-07-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 1

Written between 1833 and 1834, when Marx was just twenty-five years old, 'Early Writings' contains the cornerstone of his later political philosophy. This collection includes the Critique of Hegel's Doctrine of the State, where Marx dissects Hegel's thought and develops his own views on civil society, as well as his controversial essay On the Jewish Question and the Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts, where he first made clear his views on alienation, the state, democracy, and human nature. The Letters reveal a furious intellect struggling to develop an egalitarian theory of state. Brilliantly insightful, these early works reveal a mind on the brink of one of the most revolutionary ideas in human history. This translation fully conveys the vigour of the original works, and the introduction by Lucio Colletti considers the beliefs of the young Marx and explores these writings in the light of the later development of Marxism.

Reviews
Five Books · 2025-12-21
insightful 3.50

These writings were personal and not intended for publication, offering a raw look into Marx's evolving ideas. They provide a unique glimpse into the development of his revolutionary theories.

The reviewer points out that these writings were never meant to be published, making them a fascinating window into Marx's private intellectual journey. They highlight how Marx's ideas were taking shape, with some texts feeling like first drafts. This collection is invaluable for understanding the origins of his revolutionary thoughts, even if some parts are less polished. The reviewer appreciates the raw and unfiltered nature of these early works, which reveal the intensity and evolution of Marx's thinking.


Quick quotes

    "They were written by Marx for himself, never intended for publication — or certainly not in this form."

    "I think some of them are really first drafts with some interesting ideas."

    "This collection is invaluable for understanding the origins of his revolutionary thoughts."