Andrew Hartman’s Karl Marx in America offers a sweeping, ambitious history of how Karl Marx’s ideas have shaped, haunted, and been contested in the United States from the Civil War era to the present. Despite Marx never having set foot in America, Hartman argues that Marx’s theories have been a persistent “ghost in the machine” of American political, social, and intellectual life123.
Hartman begins by exploring Marx’s direct engagement with American affairs, notably his extensive correspondence with Union troops during the Civil War and his nearly 500 articles written for the New-York Tribune, one of the nation’s most influential newspapers at the time45. Marx saw the United States as “the most modern form of bourgeois society,” and his analysis of American capitalism and the Civil War would, in turn, reshape his own theories about freedom, labor, and historical development3.
The book traces the rise of Marxist influence in American labor history, from the Gilded Age—when socialists and labor organizers read Marx as a vital antidote to unchecked corporate power—through the Great Depression, when communists and other leftists turned to Marx in hopes of transcending a destructive capitalist order13. Hartman details how Marx’s ideas inspired key labor revolts and the formation of the first American political parties influenced by Marxism, such as the Workingmen’s Party of the United States, which played a role in the 1877 national railroad strike2.
Hartman’s narrative continues through the twentieth century, highlighting how Marx’s thought influenced a diverse array of American activists, intellectuals, and movements. The young radicals of the 1960s, for instance, drew from Marx as they protested the Vietnam War and fought for civil rights, seeing in his work a blueprint for a more just and equitable society13. Hartman also explores the ways in which Marxism has been used as a rhetorical weapon by American conservatives, who have long invoked the specter of Marx to mobilize opposition against welfare policies, labor rights, and leftist reforms452.
In the present day, Hartman contends, Marx’s influence is more visible than it has been for decades, even as self-identified Marxists remain rare in public life2. The resurgence of debates around inequality, labor rights, and “cultural Marxism”—often invoked by right-wing politicians as a bogeyman—demonstrates that Marx’s ideas remain central to American political discourse452. Hartman argues that the very structure of American capitalism ensures that Marx’s critique will always find new relevance and new audiences13.
Comprehensive Scope and Intellectual Ambition
Hartman’s book is praised for its ambitious sweep, covering over 150 years of American history and tracing Marx’s influence across a wide range of institutions, movements, and individuals52.
His expertise as an intellectual historian allows him to situate Marxism within the broader context of American political thought, showing how debates about freedom, equality, and capitalism have often been conducted “in conversation with Marx”2.
Nuanced and Balanced Analysis
Hartman avoids simplistic binaries, acknowledging both the genuine influence of Marxist ideas and the ways in which Marx has been caricatured or demonized by his opponents52.
The book is accessible to both specialists and general readers, managing to be thorough without becoming either too dense or too superficial2.
Relevance to Contemporary Debates
By linking historical episodes to present-day controversies—such as the Trump administration’s attacks on “Marxist equity” and the ongoing culture wars—Hartman demonstrates the ongoing significance of Marx’s thought in American life423.
Overextension and Selectivity
Some reviewers note that condensing such a vast and complex history into a single volume inevitably leads to omissions and oversimplifications. For those deeply versed in Marxist theory or American labor history, the treatment may feel inadequate or selective2.
At times, Hartman may exaggerate the direct influence of Marx on certain political figures or movements, stretching the evidence to fit his thesis about Marx’s centrality to American debates5.
Potential for Alienation
The book’s breadth and ambition, while a strength, can also be a weakness: readers new to Marx or to American history may find the sheer volume of material overwhelming, while experts may wish for more depth in certain areas2.
Limited Engagement with Opposing Views
While Hartman does address conservative uses of “Marxism” as a scare tactic, some critics argue that he could engage more deeply with the arguments of those who see Marxism as fundamentally incompatible with American traditions5.
Illuminating America’s Ongoing Struggles with Capitalism
Hartman’s book is especially timely given the resurgence of interest in socialism, labor organizing, and critiques of capitalism in the United States. As debates about inequality and the future of work intensify, understanding the history of Marx’s influence helps contextualize current movements and controversies136.
Challenging Myths about American Exceptionalism
By demonstrating that Marx’s ideas have always been present—sometimes overtly, sometimes as an undercurrent—in American life, Hartman challenges the notion that the U.S. is uniquely immune to radical or socialist thought13.
A Resource for Both Sides of the Political Divide
Whether as a source of inspiration for reformers and radicals, or as a bogeyman for conservatives, Marx remains a central figure in American political imagination. Hartman’s book helps explain why Marx continues to matter, and why debates about his legacy are unlikely to disappear452.
Andrew Hartman’s Karl Marx in America is a landmark study that brings to light the deep, complex, and often surprising ways in which Marx’s ideas have shaped the American experience. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive scope, balanced analysis, and relevance to contemporary debates. Its weaknesses stem from the inevitable challenges of covering such a vast topic in one volume and the potential for overreach in some of its claims. Nonetheless, the book is a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand the past, present, and likely future of Marx’s influence in America123.