Your Dad really did a fabulous job curating the U.S. Civil War section of the library. I, for one, had no idea this book ever existed: THE CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED STATES by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, edited with an introduction by Richard Enmale. Our copy is the 1940 Second Edition published by International Publisher (New York) which published the First in 1937. Here's an excerpt from Mr. Enmale's Introduction:
"Marx and Engels followed the military aspects of the American conflict with great interest. No pacifist illusions caused them to shut their eyes to the historical importance of war, especially in respect to revolution and counter-revolution. Engels, a keen student of military science, helped Marx considerably in the latter’s evaluation for the campaigns in America. The interest of Engels in military matters was not purely theoretical; it arose out of the concrete events of 1849 in Germany when he participated as an adjutant in the unsuccessful Baden insurrection. From that time one, he devoted himself to the study of military science on the assumption that if the working class was to overcome the bourgeoisie, it would first have to master the art and strategy of war. By 186a, Engels was thoroughly versed in military science, and thus was in an excellent position to help Marx evaluate military developments in America…. The result is an admirable military appraisal of the American conflict. Especially praiseworthy are those articles dealing with a criticism of the Confederate defense of Kentucky and of McClellan’s ‘anaconda’ plan. It is interesting to note that two years before the Union high command decided to conquer Georgia and thereby cut the Confederacy in two, this plan was suggested in the Vienna Presse [by Marx/Engels]."
Son, as you go out into the world, may you also explore and enjoy exploring the world of ideas.
Love,
Mom and Dad
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