79 pages2 hours read

Das Kapital

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1867

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

Karl Marx

Das Kapital

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1867
Book Details
Pages

1152

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

England • 19th Century

Publication Year

1867

Publisher

Gateway Editions

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Das Kapital by Karl Marx is a thorough critique of the capitalist system, outlining its origins, mechanisms, and consequences. Marx argues that capitalism, emerging from historical changes post-serfdom, alienates workers by appropriating their labor for the capitalist's profit. He critiques how capitalists exploit workers, leading to poverty and harsh working conditions, but also suggests that worker organization could eventually transform the economic system.

Informative

Challenging

Contemplative

Mysterious

Dark

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Das Kapital by Karl Marx garners varied reviews. Positively, readers admire its comprehensive critique of capitalism, insightful economic theories, and profound impact on political thought. Negatively, some find it dense, complex, and challenging to read. Overall, it's a seminal work with significant historical influence despite its arduous content.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Das Kapital?

A reader who would enjoy Das Kapital by Karl Marx is likely interested in economics, political theory, and social justice. They may have a critical view of capitalism and enjoy analytical, in-depth studies, similar to readers of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations or Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century.

Fun Facts

Karl Marx spent over 15 years writing the first volume of Das Kapital, which was published in 1867, with the remaining volumes published posthumously based on his drafts.

Das Kapital was banned in various countries at different times due to its revolutionary ideas, including Russia until 1905, despite being partly inspired by the conditions there.

The economist and fellow philosopher Friedrich Engels, a close friend and collaborator of Marx, played a crucial role in editing and publishing the second and third volumes of Das Kapital after Marx's death.

Karl Marx spent over 15 years writing the first volume of Das Kapital, which was published in 1867, with the remaining volumes published posthumously based on his drafts.

Das Kapital was banned in various countries at different times due to its revolutionary ideas, including Russia until 1905, despite being partly inspired by the conditions there.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

The economist and fellow philosopher Friedrich Engels, a close friend and collaborator of Marx, played a crucial role in editing and publishing the second and third volumes of Das Kapital after Marx's death.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Book Details
Pages

1152

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

England • 19th Century

Publication Year

1867

Publisher

Gateway Editions

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.