Marx: A Very Short Introduction identifies the central vision that unifies Marx's thought, enabling us to grasp Marx's views as a whole. He can be seen as a philosopher primarily concerned with human freedom, rather than as an economist or a social scientist. Marx's impact can only be compared with that of religious figures like Jesus or Muhammad. To many in the twentieth century, his writings have been regarded as the ultimate source of truth and authority. For a while, his image was reverently displayed everywhere. Marx's legacy has affected hundreds of millions of people. What did Marx have to say about alienation, historical materialism, the economic theory of Capital, and communism?