English edition.Das Kapitalampampnbspis a groundbreaking work of economic analysis butampampnbspalso an unfinished literary masterpiece which with its multilayered structure can be read as a Gothic novel a Victorian melodrama a Greek tragedy or a Swiftian satire.ampampnbspFrancis WheenampampnbspThe Guardian.Though he died in 1883 Karl MarxsampampnbspDas Kapital the Bible of the working class has been the book that most shaped twentiethcentury history.ampampnbspHis theories divided much of the world into two blocs one embracing communism and the other fearing it and cast a shadow into the twentyfirst century.Although Marx writes as a philosopher and economist presenting an analysis of an economic system the book is surprisingly readable. It reads like a Gothic novel whose heroes are enslaved and consumed by the monster they created.Though many disagree with Marxs conclusions his analysis has been almost universally respected. Surprisingly it is Marx and not Adam Smith who understood the central role of capital.