This is an interesting set of contrasting essays/manifestos. The first in the volume is The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels. Despite the horrors of the past carried out supposedly in the name of Communism, the ideas and ideals of Marx and Engels are as fresh and relevant today as they were in the 19th century. Whatever your political persuasion, you should read the Communist Manifesto so as to have an understanding of one of the most influential ways of viewing the world in the 20th century.

The next piece in this book is by Rosa Luxemburg, and it feels pretension and leaden after the brevity and clarity of the Communist Manifesto. Luxemburg may be remembered for her great rhetorical skills, but as a piece of writing, Reform or Revolution is dull.

The final piece in the book is Socialism and Man in Cuba by Che Guevara, which is a good inclusion, in that it talks about the revolution in action rather than as a theory. It was also written much later than the first two pieces, and shows development in Communist theory and practice.

Whether you are a supporter of Communism, think it is an evil idea, or have no clue what it is about, you should at the very least read The Communist Manifesto, so you are conversant with one of the most important political and philosophical trends of the past century. ( )

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