The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844

This influential account by Friedrich Engels, first published in English in 1885, provides a profound examination of the harsh realities faced by the working classes during the Industrial Revolution, based on his observations during a visit to England in the early 1840s. Engels critiques the severe decline in health, life expectancy, and working conditions in factories compared to agricultural life, highlighting the grim impact of industrial advancements such as the spinning jenny and steam power. His formal study not only documents the exploitation and dangers inherent in factory work but also captures the rapid urban expansion and resulting poverty experienced by workers. The audiobook begins with a new preface from 1892, reflecting on changes since the original report, and demonstrates the lasting influence of Engels’ work on economic and social thought, including its significant impact on Karl Marx.