CLR James's Notes on Dialectics

Left Hegelianism or Marxism-Leninism?

By (author) John H. McClendon

Publication date:

14 December 2004

Length of book:

156 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

Dimensions:

235x157mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780739107751

John H. McClendon III's CLR James's Notes on Dialectics: Left Hegelianism or Marxism-Leninism? is the first-ever book devoted exclusively to James's 'magnum opus,' Notes on Dialectics: Hegel-Marx-Lenin. The seed for this study was planted over thirty years ago when James handed the author his personal copy of Notes. James's contribution to dialectical philosophy and his vast intellectual and scholarly output is rivalled only by the seemingly bottomless depths of McClendon's own analysis and erudition. McClendon provides a thorough-going critique of James's exploration into the dialectic of Hegel, Marx, and Lenin while challenging all the seminal texts on James's Notes'. A book of this magnitude is rare. This is ever more the truth when it is focused on a giant like James who stands at the nexus of so many disciplines: philosophy, history, sociology, Caribbean studies, cultural studies, African, and African American studies. CLR James's Notes on Dialectics: Left Hegelianism or Marxism-Leninism? is a must read for anyone concerned with how revolutionary theory is a guide to contemporary struggles.
In passing over stodgy traditional Marxist writings, McClendon has focused on the stupendous West Indian thinker, C. L. R. James. Having received from James a personal copy of James' treatise, McClendon magnificently dissects and clarifies this research, persuasively arguing that James's Notes should be the first read for all contemporary Marxist scholars.