Marx: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself

Is this the right book for me?Marx: A Complete Introduction will familiarize you with the revolutionary thinking of this significant man. It will take you through all the essential concepts - from class struggle to dialectical materialism. Expressing Marx's sometimes complex ideas in simple terms, and backed up with references to his own texts, this book gives you everything you need to know. Marx: A Complete Introduction includes:Chapter 1: Marx's early lifeEurope at the time of MarxThe early life of MarxUniversity lifeLife as a journalistThe Communist ManifestoExileChapter 2: Marx's later lifeThe move to LondonFamily life in LondonMarx and EngelsWork in LondonDas KapitalThe InternationalThe later yearsChapter 3: Marx and philosophyA brief history of philosophyWhich philosophers influenced Marx?Ancient Greek philosophersEuropean philosophyUtopian SocialistsRevolutionaries and anarchistsThe importance of Hegel and FeuerbachHow did Marx differ from those who went before?Political economyWhat part did Engels play?Chapter 4: Economic theoryDialectical materialism, historical materialism and economyThe capitalist economyCommoditiesTheory of surplus valueProfit and the division of labourCapitalism in crisisFalling wages and profitsSocial labourAccumulation and crisisCentralization of the economyWas Marx right about the economy?Chapter 5: Economy and societyImperialism and colonialismFetishismExploitationChapter 6: Class, class struggle and revolutionIntroductionThe development of capitalist societyDialectical materialism and class structureClass in the capitalist societyIdeologyClass struggleWorkers' power and educationThe Communist League and class struggleThe International Working Men's AssociationIs revolution inevitable?Chapter 7: Further Marxist thoughtAfter the revolutionCommunist societyReligionWomen's rights and the familyArt and cultureFreedom and the individualChapter 8: Marxism after Marx - ideas that changed the worldThe spread of Marxist thoughtThe development of socialismRussian communismChinese communismThe Cold WarThe decline of communismHas Marxism failed?Chapter 9: Marxism after Marx - the development of Marxist thoughtTypes of MarxismWhere does Marx fit in?Is Marxism relevant in the twenty-first century?The futureLearn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features: Author insightsLots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.Test yourselfTests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.Five things to rememberQuick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.Try thisInnovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

Gill Hands has always been interested in all aspects of social history. After training as a teacher of English and History, she worked in Adult Training, where she began teaching adults with disabilities as well as those who had missed out on formal education for various reasons. She was also instrumental in setting up three women's groups and a small press to give women in rural areas a voice. It was from working with these varied people that she acquired the skill of breaking complex subjects down into easier steps and clarifying difficult concepts. She has worked as a freelance writer for many years, including writing a beginner's Guides to Marx. Like him, she believes that education is one of the first steps in the liberation of the individual.