Brilliantly revising Marxism to incorporate the cultural turn, Stuart Hall not only created critical cultural studies, but he helped construct the intellectual world within which a cultural sociology could emerge. -- Jeffrey C. Alexander, author of * What Makes a Social Crisis? The Societalization of Social Problems *
A much-needed collection staging the brilliant Jamaican British sociologist Stuart Hall's engagement with Marx in and out of the establishment of the iconic Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at Birmingham and his teaching at the Open University. The pieces coauthored with students and the active discussions of the selected pieces by a former student who also taught at the Open University make this volume a living theatre production of a powerful moment in British theoretical practice. -- Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, author of * Chintar Durdasha/Jukti o Kalpanashokti *
I have also narrated the effort it took for me to access his work to illustrate the importance of the Selected Writings now being released by Duke University Press. It is an event of profound historical significance that a new generation will be able to begin its political and theoretical education with systematic access to Hall's writing. . . . Selected Writings on Marxism, edited by Gregor McLennan, which should make apparent Hall's importance as a major figure in the history of Marxist theory. -- Asad Haider * The Point *
McLennan's editorial introduction and discussions in each part of the volume provide invaluable context for Hall's essays, enabling the reader to appreciate the distinctiveness of each contribution as well as the development of Hall's thought. This book will be invaluable to scholars and graduate students in the fields of sociology, history, critical theory, and cultural studies, and it will be essential for any readers concerned with the Marxian intellectual tradition. Essential. Graduate students and faculty. -- T. Wheatland * Choice *
As Marxism regains its intellectual appeal for a new generation emerging amid the multiple crises and catastrophes of late capitalism, this meticulously edited volume is a timely and welcome addition to the excellent and developing Stuart Hall: Selected Writings series. -- Christian Hogsbjerg * H-Socialisms, H-Net Reviews *
