Abstract

For the past decade in America there has been an increasing and serious interest in Marx, especially the young Marx, reflecting the renewed and growing interest in Marx throughout the world. Until now most discussions of the early Marx were based on the famous 1844 Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts. The editors of this present volume have done an excellent job in translating and editing documents covering the period from 1835 until 1847. For the first time, English readers have an opportunity to acquaint themselves fully with the extraordinary complexity of these early years in Marx's intellectual development. Especially important is the translation of Marx's Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right where one can see many of Marx's characteristic themes dialectically developed from a Feuerbachian criticism of Hegel. The translations are good, the editing is sensible, and the introductory comments are helpful. This collection now stands as the best source in English for Marx's early views.--R. J. B.