Russia and its World
Russia in all its aspects has always exerted a pull on me. Its history, art, music, food, landscapes, dress in all varied ethnic glory, and, above all, its literature have a special access to my attention. A major challenge is Russia’s colossal size and diversity of geography. Another continual surprise is the number of its distinctive peoples, each with unique folkways and histories. Russia has had some epic totalitarian regimes over its long history — but it also has been the home of some of the world’s greatest, most creative, and most influential anarchist philosophers. Russia is big enough and complex enough to handle all sorts of contradictions and paradoxes — and to claim them all proudly (and fatalistically, a classic Russian trait).
Over the years I have noticed that my store has become home to a great range of literature, fiction and nonfiction, of the Russian soul and mind and heart. I share it here and may update it as often as possible.
A World to Win: the Life and Works of Karl Marx
A World to Win: the Life and Works of Karl Marx
The definitive biography of Karl Marx
Karl Marx has fascinated and inspired generations of radicals for the past two hundred years. In this new, definitive biography, Sven-Eric Liebman makes his work live once more for a new generation. Despite centuries having passed since his birth, Marx’s burning condemnation of capitalism remains of immediate interest.
Now, more than ever before, Marx’s texts be read for what they truly are. In addition to providing a living picture of Marx the man, his life, and his family and friends—as well as his lifelong collaboration with Friedrich Engels—Sweden’s leading intellectual historian Sven-Eric Liedman, in this major new biography, shows what Karl Marx the thinker and researcher really wrote, demonstrating that this giant of the nineteenth century still exert a powerful attraction for the inhabitants of the twenty-first.
“Neoliberalism is increasingly exposed as a failed experiment and many people are now exploring the tradition of radical politics for solutions to the challenges we now face. This book brings to life the early history of the socialist tradition.”
– John McDonnell, MP Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
“A World to Win is an illuminating investigation into the multiple personalities of this infinitely fascinating figure. There’s a strong case to be made that Marx was neither a philosopher nor a scientist. He discovered his own ‘ways of seeing’ that defied and continue to defy easy categorization.”
– Jason Barker, Los Angeles Review of Books
“Makes clear that Marx’s ideas, going on two centuries old, still have meaning in the present. Outstanding. [A book] to turn to for reference and deeper insight.”
– Kirkus (starred review)
“A landmark anniversary biography… Liedman’s strength is as a political philosopher and he is superbly well-equipped to take us on a tour of Marx’s intellectual workshop … a comprehensive and reliable guide.”
“Liedman is convinced that we live in a period of striking similarity to Marx’s own, and therefore his analysis of society and history are still appropriate. Unlike many other biographies of Marx, the present volume combines in-depth personality narrative and significant comments on Marx’s own works. This analysis not only looks at the social and political context of the early industrial revolution Europe, but also takes into consideration the intellectual environment of the time, German philosophy, and socialist and liberal ideas. Highly recommended.”
– Choice
“A lucid, scholarly guide … Those searching for a truly detailed discussion of Marx should turn here.”
– Andrew Stuttaford, Wall Street Journal