The biographical information on Marx' life is a very small percentage of this volume, but it does give the reader a good idea of his background and early education that led to the development of his ideas and philosophies. His expulsion from both Paris and Germany led to his settlement in London, where he did the bulk of his work.
             Marx helped found the International Working Men's Association in 1864, which helped spread the ideals of socialism and anti-capitalism. Eventually these ideas spread around the world and led to the formation of labor unions in many areas, including the United States. They also led to the rise of socialist mentality in Russia, leading eventually to the formation of the Soviet Union and the overthrow of the royal family.
             Another important observation is the close friendship between Marx and Friedrich Engels, the philosopher. The pair collaborated on many books, and Engels helped Marx financially when he was unable to make a living after settling in London.
             Of course, one of the most important historiographical observations consists of the fall of the Soviet Union in 1999, and its relationship to Marxist philosophy. The author maintains Marx encouraged anti-capitalism, rather than abject socialism, and so, would not have been surprised to see the fall of the Soviet Union (Wood xxvi). This might be surprising to some, but the author's explanation that Marx expected socialism to spread throughout Europe in order for it survive seems plausible.
             The author's main arguments and subsidiary points include several sections of the book detailing Marx' ideas on Alienation, Historical Materialism, Marxism and Morality, Philosophical Materialism, and the Dialectical Method. The author describes Marx and his philosophies, "If it is possible to describe Marx as a philosopher, it is probably more accurate to describe him as an economist, historian, political theorist or sociologist, and above all as a working ...