The Antonio Gramsci Reader: Selected Writings 1916-1935

by Antonio Gramsci, David Forgacs (Editor)

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The most complete volume of writings by one of the most fascinating thinkers in the history of Marxism Antonio Gramsci was one of the most important theorists of class, culture, and the state since Karl Marx. Imprisoned by the Fascists for much of his adult life, Gramsci spent his time in prison avidly writing on a broad range of subjects--from folklore to philosophy, popular culture to political strategy--and developing seminal ideas that have since become essential to our understanding of show more political theory. This book brings together the most comprehensive collection of Gramsci's writings available in English. Along with an introduction by leading Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm, the volume includes a biographical introduction, informative introductions to each section, and a glossary of key terms to help readers better grasp the legacy of this important figure. As a thorough introduction to Gramsci's key concepts, this book is essential reading for every serious student of Marxism, political theory, or modern Italian history. show less

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3 reviews
This is probably the hardest thing I've ever read, and I don't think I can recommend it to the layman looking for an introduction to Gramsci's works. There's nothing wrong with the collection, or Gramsci's philosophy, both of which are fine, but its dense and hard work and needs more annotation to make it comprehensible to the beginner. That said, I found many bits stimulating and have dozens of pages turned over for further investigation. Make of that what you will!
½
I read the Prison Letters and some of his other work while doing my PhD, and cited much of it, but had to put it out of my thesis after it was ruled biased and out of the scope of my work, unfortunately. I thought it put much of my work on participatory decision-making in the emission of money into a broader context, but it was not my call.
I read the Prison Letters and some of his other work while doing my PhD, and cited much of it, but had to put it out of my thesis after it was ruled biased and out of the scope of my work, unfortunately. I thought it put much of my work on participatory decision-making in the emission of money into a broader context, but it was not my call.

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Author Information

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425+ Works 5,084 Members
Born to a poor family in Sardinia, Gramsci had to go to work as a child but still managed to distinguish himself as a bright and promising student. In 1910, after winning a scholarship, he attended the University of Torino, where he was influenced by Benedetto Croce and Francesco De Sanctis. He eventually rejected Croce's idealism, as well as the show more academic life, for Marxism and politics. His primary interest was the empowerment of the working class. He rose within the Socialist party to the position of secretary of the socialist section of Torino and founded the influential newspaper L'Ordine Nuovo (the New Order). In 1921 he cofounded the Italian Communist party and fought against Fascist policy. Elected party secretary in 1924, two years later he was arrested and sent to prison, where he produced much of his writing. He remained incarcerated until his death. Gramsci's writings chronicle the development of his thought on politics, culture, and education. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Editor
13+ Works 523 Members
David Forgacs is Professor of Italian at University College London.

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Hoare, Q. (Translator)
Hobsbawm, Eric J. (Introduction)

Work Relationships

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The Antonio Gramsci Reader: Selected Writings 1916-1935
Original publication date
1988
People/Characters
Antonio Gramsci
Important places
Turin, Italy
First words
When Gramsci joined the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) in 1913 it was divided, like other European social-democratic parties, into a 'reformist' right and a 'revolutionary' left.
Blurbers
Hall, Stuart
Original language
Italian

Classifications

Genres
Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics and Government, General Nonfiction, Literature Studies and Criticism, History
DDC/MDS
335.43Society, government, & cultureEconomicsSocialism and related systemsMarxian systemsCommunism
LCC
HX289.7 .G73 .A25Social sciencesSocialism. Communism. AnarchismSocialism. Communism. Anarchism
BISAC

Statistics

Members
420
Popularity
73,683
Reviews
3
Rating
(4.05)
Languages
English, Portuguese
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
10
ASINs
3