Love and Capital

While a plethora of books on Karl Marx, his works, and Marxism are available, this is the first seriously researched study of the relationship—the passionate love story—between the philosopher and his wife, Jenny von Westphalen. Gabriel (former editor, Reuters News Service; Notorious Victoria: The Life of Victoria Woodhull, Uncensored) draws heavily upon extensive Marx family correspondence to create a compelling story of love and heartbreak, following the Marx family across Europe through hard times and tragedy. She reveals not only the intellectual and revolutionary Karl Marx, but also the husband, father, and very human being. The book also notably portrays his lesser-known wife, a woman of intelligence, beauty, and noble birth who sacrificed dearly for her husband, his ideals, and their seven children. Gabriel continues the family saga after Karl Marx's death to follow the lives of his three surviving daughters, two of whom committed suicide, all the while intricately weaving history, politics, and the birth of socialist thought throughout.