In this landmark work, Friedrich Engels traces the evolution of human society from primitive communism through the emergence of the patriarchal family, private property, and the state. Drawing on the latest anthropological evidence of his day, he argues that the oppression of women and the rise of class divisions are not eternal truths but historical creations—products of specific economic conditions that can be changed. This modern reader's edition renders Engels' original 1884 text (with his 1891 preface) into clear, accessible English while preserving his argument's force and nuance. Whether you are a student of history, politics, or feminism, this edition invites you to engage directly with one of the most influential—and controversial—analyses of how we came to live as we do. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.