Karl Marx claimed that the chains of the exploited were obscured by the flowers of ideology and religion. He set out both to remove the flowers and to break the chains. But was his solution really radical enough? This book traces the development of Marx ideas against the nineteenth century background: his early life and writings, the 1848 revolution, Marx major work in economics, his views of history, class, women and property. Trade unionism and revolution are major topics. The book is not only a biography: it is also an analysis of Marx ideas from a Christian viewpoint. As such it shares a concern, not just for Marx in history, but for the way his ideas are working today.