Why Study Marx Today

Oxford University professor hand-painted thought map, taking you through Marx's theoretical jungle with ease

A Classic Work of Introduction to Western Marxist Thought

*brief introduction

This is a comprehensive and accessible guide to Marx's thought. Author Jonathan Wolf argues that we can distinguish Marx's critique of present society from his prophecy of future society, and that Marx remains the best commentator of today's liberal and capitalist bourgeois society. Wolf also believes that the value of "great thinkers" does not depend on the veracity of their grand theories, but on their originality, insight, and systematic vision. This is why Marx is still very much worth reading today.

*Media/celebrity recommendation

A fascinating read. The author ... is exceptionally skilled in political-philosophical interpretation. In this book, he argues that Marx has been misunderstood and that the great man was right in many ways that he is not credited with.

--"Economist"

Perhaps the most important work on Marx in the past two decades, it has transformed public and intellectual perceptions of his philosophy.

—Brian Wright, professor at the University of Chicago Law School

Jonathan Wolfe explores Marx's continuing appeal today with razor-sharp clarity. Wolf deftly picks out the vital parts of Marx's thought, showing that Marx's critique of capitalism and liberalism has not lost its urgency.

—Richard Bellamy, professor at the University of Reading

*Editor's Choice

Guided reading has always been difficult to write, and the guided reading of a great thinker is especially difficult to write. It must be authentic and approachable, comprehensive and systematic but focused. This book can be said to have completed these tasks perfectly. The author grasps the three key concepts in Marx's theoretical system: alienation, labor theory of value and communism, not only enables the general readers to get in touch with Marx's early thought, economics and historical theory in a comprehensive way, but also his method of selecting and organizing materials It is also worthy of reference for professional readers and writers.