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.
After this, I would add State and Revolution by Lenin if you’re (OP) interested in the (initial) necessity of a state. It’s quite short.
On Authority too
Absolutely; it’s just an essay/article but it’s very good