Michael Parenti - Blackshirts and Reds.Focuses on the most important question for all socialists: What is to be done? This strategy and analysis would be adopted and sucessfully carried out in dozens of countries following this blueprint.

Through a clarifying and critical analysis of Marx and Engels’s thoughts on the state, Lenin explains the class nature of the state, and argues convincingly for the creation of proletarian states: the vehicle which can bring about socialism. The most important political work of the 20th century. Audiobook Another shorter modern introduction to Marxism: read this if you’ve been having any trouble. (Optional) Chris Harman - How Marxism Works.A modern introduction to Marxism, only read if you have been having trouble understanding concepts. (Optional) Paul D’Amatto - the meaning of Marxism.Captures the energy and urgency of the communist movement. Much less informative, and not as mature a work as Socialism, Utopian and scientific, but should still be read. Starts from its historical foundations, to its theoretical underpinnings. Engels - Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, audiobook Simply the best primer on scientific socialism written by one of its founders.The best short essay introduction to Marxism. Lenin - The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism.Engels - Principles of Communism Audiobook A glossary of terms to get us all on the same page.It alternates between theory, history, and psychology. This isn’t a comprehensive list: these are the ones I wish I could go back in time to give to middle-school me.

Here’s an ordered list of Marxist books and essays that can serve as a reading list / study plan.

Blackshirts and reds