Secondhand Political History Bargain Book Box SP2474

Secondhand Political History Bargain Book Box

This curated collection provides fourteen comprehensive volumes examining the development of socialist theory and Soviet history at an accessible price point. Readers will encounter foundational texts and critical analyses detailing the ideological shifts from early Marxism to the operational realities of the Soviet state. The assortment features essential documentary histories alongside focused economic and political assessments by prominent scholars such as Alec Nove and Lionel Kochan. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Marx and Engels: Basic Writings on Politics and Philosophy by Lewis S. Feuer This volume compiles the foundational texts that shaped modern socialist and communist political theory. The collection includes essential excerpts from major works, providing a comprehensive overview of historical materialism and class struggle. Readers are presented with the primary arguments regarding capitalist development and the anticipated transition to a stateless society. The text serves as a primary resource for understanding the ideological roots of twentieth-century revolutionary movements.

2. A History of Bolshevism by Arthur Rosenberg This historical analysis traces the evolution of the Bolshevik movement from its origins within Russian social democracy to its establishment of state power. The narrative examines the ideological disputes and strategic decisions that allowed Vladimir Lenin's faction to dominate the revolutionary landscape. The author details the transition from an underground revolutionary organization to a governing apparatus confronting internal and external conflicts. The book offers a critical assessment of the early Soviet state and its immediate political trajectory.

3. Euro-Communism: Myth or Reality by Paolo Filo della Torre, Edward Mortimer and Jonathan Story This collaborative study evaluates the emergence of Eurocommunism among Western European political parties during the late twentieth century. The text analyzes the ideological divergence of these parties from traditional Soviet orthodoxy and their commitment to democratic parliamentary processes. Contributors assess the political viability and domestic impact of communist parties operating within capitalist frameworks in countries like Italy and France. The volume questions whether this political adaptation represented a genuine ideological shift or a temporary tactical maneuver.

4. Socialist Thought: A Documentary History by Albert Fried and Ronald Sanders This comprehensive anthology traces the development of socialist ideology through primary source documents and historical treatises. The compilation covers early utopian socialism, the emergence of scientific socialism, and subsequent ideological fractures within the global movement. The editors provide contextual frameworks for understanding the varied interpretations of collective ownership and social equality over different eras. The collection offers a detailed historical trajectory of the political theories that challenged capitalist economic structures.

5. The Making of Modern Russia by Lionel Kochan This historical overview details the political, economic, and social transformations that shaped the Russian state from its early origins to the modern era. The narrative covers the consolidation of tsarist autocracy, the pressures of modernization, and the eventual collapse of the imperial system. The author examines the geopolitical forces and internal domestic struggles that led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. The text provides a comprehensive background for understanding Russia's complex role in modern international relations.

6. A Documentary History of Communism, Volume 1 by Robert V. Daniels This sourcebook presents vital primary documents detailing the internal debates and policy decisions of the communist movement. The selected texts illustrate the ideological formulation of Leninism and the practical challenges of establishing a revolutionary government in Russia. Readers can analyze direct communications, party resolutions, and theoretical essays that defined the early trajectory of the Bolshevik regime. The volume provides direct insight into the political mechanics and ideological justifications of early Soviet leadership.

7. The Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead This narrative history provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and immediately following the 1917 revolutions in Russia. The author chronicles the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, the brief tenure of the Provisional Government, and the subsequent Bolshevik seizure of power. The text examines the social unrest, military failures, and political maneuvering that facilitated the radical transformation of the Russian state. The book delivers a structured chronological overview of a defining moment in twentieth-century geopolitical history.

8. Politics and the Soviet Union by Mary McAuley This analytical work examines the institutional structures and political processes that governed the Soviet Union. The author evaluates the role of the Communist Party, the state bureaucracy, and the mechanisms of domestic policy implementation. The text investigates the methods used by the Soviet leadership to maintain political control and manage societal development within a centralized system. The book offers a critical assessment of Soviet governance and its operational realities during the mid-to-late twentieth century.

9. Pioneers of Russian Social Thought by Richard Hare This biographical and historical study profiles the key intellectuals who influenced Russian political and social reform movements in the nineteenth century. The author examines the writings and philosophies of early dissenters, populists, and radical thinkers who challenged the tsarist autocracy. The narrative highlights the development of distinct Russian intellectual traditions that preceded the organized revolutionary movements of the twentieth century. The text provides essential context for the ideological ferment that eventually led to the 1917 revolutions.

10. Socialist Economics by Alec Nove and D.M. Nuti This compilation of academic essays explores the theoretical foundations and practical applications of socialist economic systems. The contributors analyze central planning mechanisms, resource allocation, and the challenges of managing a state-directed economy. The text evaluates the historical performance of Soviet and Eastern European economic models in comparison to their capitalist counterparts. The volume presents a rigorous academic assessment of the economic principles underlying socialist governance.

11. Masters of Russian Marxism by Unknown This specialized volume surveys the principal theoreticians who adapted Marxist ideology to the specific conditions of the Russian Empire. The text outlines the core theoretical contributions of prominent revolutionary figures beyond just the primary leadership. The analysis explores the factional debates regarding revolutionary strategy, economic development, and party organization that characterized Russian socialist circles. The book serves as a focused intellectual history of the diverse Marxist currents within the early Russian radical movement.

12. The Soviet Economy by Alec Nove This comprehensive textbook provides a detailed structural analysis of the Soviet economic system during its operational height. The author examines the mechanics of central planning, industrial organization, agricultural management, and price formation within a command economy. The text evaluates the systemic inefficiencies and administrative challenges inherent in the state-directed allocation of resources. The book remains a foundational academic resource for understanding the operational realities of the Soviet economic model.

13. The Soviet Worker: Illusions & Realities by Leonard Schapiro and Joseph Godson This critical anthology investigates the actual living and working conditions of the labor force within the Soviet Union. The contributors contrast the official state propaganda regarding the primacy of the proletariat with the empirical realities of Soviet industrial relations. The text covers topics such as trade union subordination, wage structures, and the broader social welfare mechanisms available to citizens. The volume provides a sobering assessment of the gap between socialist ideological promises and daily material conditions.

14. The Essential Kropotkin by Emile Capouya and Keitha Tompkins This carefully curated selection presents the most significant writings of the prominent Russian anarchist philosopher Peter Kropotkin. The compilation includes his theories on mutual aid, decentralized societal organization, and the critique of both capitalist and state-socialist structures. The editors provide necessary context to understand his vision of a cooperative society functioning without coercive state authority. The volume introduces readers to a major alternative current of radical political thought that developed alongside orthodox Marxism.