Philosophers have previously tried to explain the world, our task is to change it. Born to a father who converted to Protestantism to avoid anti-Semitism, Marx became a communist and agent of revolutionary change. Though his ideas have often been shown to have horrific social implications, there are still many secular adherents to Marxism. This series of guides cover the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. The author's concise and comprehensible style highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of this series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.