The only single-volume English language version of Marx’s first ever published writing, this is the full text of Marx’s doctoral dissertation, published with his letters from the same period and selections from the philosophical notebooks he prepared in advance of the dissertation. Marx’s doctoral dissertation offers an unparalleled opportunity to look at the philosophical worldview of one of the 19th century’s greatest thinkers. Absolutely invaluable as a picture of the environment in which his more mature thinking was fostered, this first ever single-volume edition of Marx’s first writings includes letters and notes written at the time of his thesis that give a real sense of the historical context from whence Marxist theory came. Marx’s thought was largely responsible for some of the most important political movements in the history of the 20th century. Books dissecting Marxism and historical materialism abound - the opportunity to encounter primary source material relating to its genesis is almost unknown. The materials contained within The First Writings Of Karl Marx represents the earliest period of Marx’s intellectual life and offer a detailed portrait of the creation of his philosophical disposition. Youthful and infectious, the writings are lit with ambition and contain the seeds of the finished system of historical materialism.