Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto in the Norton Critical Edition presents the classic political text within a rigorous scholarly framework, ideal for both newcomers and advanced students of Marxist thought.
The volume provides a carefully annotated text of the Manifesto of the Communist Party, clarifying historical references, terminology, and key concepts. Two substantial introductory sections by Frederic Bender offer a detailed chronology of events leading to the Manifesto and a clear overview of its historical and theoretical background.
Readers looking to go beyond the primary text will find selections that trace the sources of Marx’s ideas, examine the Manifesto’s role in the development of Marxism, and survey influential modern interpretations. Together, these materials help situate the Manifesto within both nineteenth-century debates and contemporary political and philosophical discussions.
This edition is particularly useful for course adoption and independent study, giving readers the tools to understand, contextualize, and critically engage with one of the most influential political documents in modern history.
- Annotated text of the Communist Manifesto
- Chronology of key historical events
- Essays on historical and theoretical backgrounds
- Selections on sources, impact, and recent interpretations
