I know that the Communist Manifesto is always mentioned in politics, but what, if any, other literature should I read first if I want to understand Communism? I consider myself a Socialist at the moment, but can’t really get behind the statelessness of Anarchism.
Critique of the Gotha Programme will help you understand some of basic stuff about communism. Marx himself clarify some of the wrong base assumptions.
Idk? maybe Das Kapital?
Principles of Communism, Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, State and Revolution, Historical and Dialectical Materialism
Engels, Lenin and Stalin explain fundamental concepts very well. Can’t say much about Mao, I have only read the Red Book to far.
Mao is incredible, probably the best writer out of them all. Explains very difficult concepts incredibly simply and succinctly.