For decades, the teachings of Karl Marx were the official ideology of the Soviet Union and several other countries. All this time, the authentic Marx was in the shadows: his theories were "supplemented" and distorted, his mistakes were hushed up, his multifaceted contradictory personality was squeezed into the framework of the canonical life. The reaction to which was research, where Marx appears in a completely unexpected light. Among them is the book of Jacques Attali - a French politician, political scientist, economist, one of the leading theorists of globalization and the "new world order." Scrupulously examining the biography of Marx, his family life, health, relations with friends and enemies, the author focuses on the creative heritage of his hero. Contrary to the usual ideas, he sees in Marx not a forerunner of totalitarian regimes, but an adherent of democracy, liberalism and market relations. One can agree or argue with this, but the book of J. Attali, translated into many languages, must be read by everyone who is interested in the figure of the founder of scientific communism. Introductory article by S.G. Kara-Murza.