Karl Marx Frederick Engels, Collected Works: Vol. 49, Engels 1890-1892

Volume 49 contains Frederick Engels' letters from August 1890 to September 1892. They reflect the various problems that were involved in the establishment and consolidation of socialist parties, the formation of the Second International and the propagation of Marxism and give a good idea of Engels' scholarly and practical activities at the time in question. More than half the letters in the volume appear in English for the first time.

The correspondence shows that Engels continued to devote a great deal of time to the preparation of new editions and translations of Marx's and his own works. A number of letters are of a theoretical nature, elucidating some of Marxism's key propositions and defending it against simplistic interpretations and distortions/ For one, they present, in compact form, the essence of the Marxist method of analyzing the historical process. Questions pertaining to the organizational structure of the working-class party, to democracy in the party and to the fight against dogmatism and sectarianism loom large too. The letters bear witness to Engels' profound interest in the development of the labor and socialist movement in Europe, especially in Germany, France, and Great Britain, and in the USA. We see him taking an active part in the preparation of international socialist congresses and generally, working hard to promote international socialist ties.