Wilhelm Liebknecht is little known today outside his native Germany. Yet, in the late 19th century, he was renowned throughout the industrialized world as a champion of working people and a prime mover in the emerging German Social Democratic Party. His speeches and pamphlets were translated into numerous languages and helped inspire generations of militant workers and socialist activists.

This volume presents Liebknecht in his own words. He produced such a massive amount of material that it is doubtful a complete collection will ever be assembled; this is, however, a representative sampling of his most renowned and influential work. As much as possible, selections are presented unedited. Each piece is prefaced by a brief introduction to put the material in context. Most appear in English for the first time. In addition to the selection of his works, the volume contains a section of essays and observations by colleagues and others who knew his work firsthand. The book also contains a chronology, glossary, and other aids to facilitate an understanding of the man and the period. It is an important research tool for political and labor historians and others concerned with the development of mass movements in 19th- and 20th-century Europe.