Paul Le Blanc

From Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century

Short History of the U. S. Working Class

Historical Overview and Selection

From Marx to Gramsci: A Reader in Revolutionary Marxist Politics 

Responding to Catastrophe, Forging Revolution

Lenin

The Revolutionary Passion of Rosa Luxemburg

Living Flame

voices from U.S. labor radicalism

Work and struggle

C. L. R. James

Scott McLemee

selected writings of C.L.R. James, 1939-1949

C.L.R. James and revolutionary Marxism

Rosa Luxemburg

Helen C. Scott

Socialism or Barbarism

This study of Lenin's conception of the revolutionary party, and its place in Marxist thought, gives a vibrant sense of the historical context—both Russian and international—in which Lenin's views were shaped and upon which they had such a profound impact. This book will appeal to all readers interested in radical history and ideas: political activists of all varieties, as well as political scientists, philosophers, sociologists, and historians.

Lenin and the Revolutionary Party

A collection of essays illuminating the historic Polish philosopher, economist, and activist’s tremendous contributions to revolutionary struggle. Rosa Luxemburg, brilliant early twentieth century German revolutionary, comes alive in a rich set of essays on her life, ideas, and lasting influence. The essays deal not only with her remarkable contributions to political, social and economic theory, but also touch on her vibrant personality and intimate friendships. This collection, the fruit of more than four decades of involvement with Luxemburg's work, simultaneously showcases her penetratingly intellectual, political and deeply humanistic qualities. “An indispensable contribution to our understanding of Rosa Luxemburg, who emerges as formidable theorist, principled activist, and above all, a fully realized human being . . . . The Living Flame affirms Luxemburg’s lasting contribution and underscores the relevance of her legacy for our own, very different, age.” —Helen Scott, author, The Storm of History: Shakespeare’s Tempest and Capitalism “A profound and multidimensional investigation of a giant thinker and revolutionary. These [essays] show meticulous historical and theoretical attentiveness and at the same time are hugely timely; a significant contribution to Rosa Luxemburg studies and Marxist theory and history.” —Dana Mills, author, Rosa Luxemburg: Critical Lives “Uncommonly nuanced, probing, and also deeply principled explorations. [Le Blanc’s] mode of engagement nicely compliments that of Rosa Luxemburg and shows us her thoughts as a living and breathing work in progress, not merely echoes from an increasingly distant past. In addition, Le Blanc models how Marxists and Leftists in general might want to relate to one another when we debate complex issues and at times disagree.” —Axel Fair-Schulz, associate professor at SUNY Potsdam

The Living Flame

A panoramic account of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and its aftermath – animated by the lives, ideas and experiences of workers, peasants, intellectuals, artists, and revolutionaries of diverse persuasions – October Song vividly narrates the triumphs of those who struggled for a new society and created a revolutionary workers state. Yet despite profoundly democratic and humanistic aspirations, the revolution is eventually defeated by violence and authoritarianism. October Song highlights both positive and negative lessons of this historic struggle for human liberation.

October Song

Bryan D. Palmer

This last of three documentary volumes, U.S. Trotskyism 1928-1965. Part III: Resurgence, spans 1954 to 1965, and includes a rich selection of primary sources on labor and social struggles, intellectual history, and the revolutionary impact of Leon Trotsky’s perspectives on U.S. socialism.

Uneven and Combined Development. Dissident Marxism in the United States: Volume 4

U.S. Trotskyism 1928-1965. Part III: Resurgence

Dianne Feeley

Thomas Twiss

This is the first comprehensive examination of Leon Trotsky's view on revolutionary organizational principles, and the dynamic interplay of democratic initiative and principled centralism. Mostly in his own words, these writings are grounded in Trotsky's experience in Russia's revolutionary movement, as a leader of the International Left Opposition and Fourth International.

Leon Trotsky and the Organizational Principles of the Revolutionary Party

Her examination of capitalist "globalization" in her era, the destructive dynamics of nationalism, and other topics are joined with hard-hitting political analyses, discussions of labor movement strategy, intimate prison letters, and passionate revolutionary appeals." "Luxemburg's powerful impact on the twentieth century is documented in the accompanying essays, which draw readers into the "discussions" that leading intellectuals and activists have had with this vibrant thinker."--BOOK JACKET.

Reflections and Writings

This book surveys revolutionary socialist ideas and engages a gallery of contentious political thinkers, offering an indispensable assessment of the place of revolutionary collectives in this radical tradition. Beginning with a broad and informative survey of scholarship on V.I. Lenin and “Leninism,” Le Blanc goes on to explore the multifaceted “collective” qualities of the Russian Bolshevik organization. He then turns his attention to several of its central figures as well as a rich variety of activist-intellectuals who in one way or another continued to engage with Lenin’s perspectives after his death, including Leon Trotsky, Alexander Bogdanov, Georg Lukács, Antonio Gramsci, Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Korsch, and Daniel Bensaïd. The volume concludes by considering related questions which have more recently posed problems within left-wing organizations, gesturing toward the dynamics and needs of future struggles.

Comrades, Critics, and Dynamics in the Struggle for Socialism

Revolutionary Collective

Left Opposition in the United States Dissident Marxism in the United States: Volume 2:1

US Trotskyism 1928-1965. Part I: Emergence

The first 'American Exceptionalists' belonged to a left-wing current led by Jay Lovestone. Briefly in control of, then dramatically expelled from, the US Communist Party, they maintained an independent existence on the US Left from 1929 to 1940. Some became prominent in the labor and civil rights movements, while Will Herberg became a prominent Jewish theologian and an editor of the conservative National Review, and Bertram Wolfe worked as an anti-Communist ideologist with the US State Department. Lovestone himself collaborated with the CIA to help shape the Cold War foreign policy of the AFL-CIO. Yet earlier documents and articles from the Lovestone group provide rich information and remarkable insights on twentieth century realities and radicalism.

Dissident Marxism in the United States:

The 'American Exceptionalism' of Jay Lovestone and His Comrades, 1929-1940

George Breitman

Alan Wald

In the new edition of this definitive work on the history of the revolutionary socialist current in the United States that came to be identified as "American Trotskyism," Paul Le Blanc offers fresh reflections on this history for scholars and activists in the twenty-first century. Includes a preface written especially for the new edition of this distinctive work. Paul Le Blanc is a professor of History at La Roche College and author of Choice Award–winning book A Freedom Budget for All Americans.

Historical Essays and Reconsiderations

Trotskyism in the United States

John H. Hinshaw

Studies in Working-class Struggles and Insurgency

U.S. Labor in the Twentieth Century

Work and Struggle: Voices from U.S. Labor Radicalism focuses on the history of U.S. labor with an emphasis on radical currents, which have been essential elements in the working-class movement from the mid nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. Showcasing some of labor's most important leaders, Work and Struggle offers students and instructors a variety of voices to learn from -- each telling their story through their own words -- through writings, memoirs and speeches, transcribed and introduced here by Paul Le Blanc. This collection of revolutionary voices will inspire anyone interested in the history of labor organizing.

Voices from U.S. Labor Radicalism

Work and Struggle

“His aim is to make the history of labor in the U.S. more accessible to students and the general reader. He succeeds” (Booklist). In a blend of economic, social, and political history, Paul Le Blanc shows how important labor issues have been, and continue to be, in the forging of our nation. Within a broad analytical framework, he highlights issues of class, gender, race, and ethnicity, and includes the views of key figures of United States labor. The result is a thought-provoking look at centuries of American history from a perspective that is too often ignored or forgotten. “An excellent overview, enhanced by a valuable glossary.” —Elaine Bernard, director of the Harvard Trade Union Program

A Short History of the U.S. Working Class

Paul Le Blanc

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