Main Currents of Marxism: Its Origins, Growth, and Dissolution.: [Volume I: The Founders; Volume II: The Golden Age; Volume III: The Breakdown].

Oxford: Clarendon Press,, 1978. First edition in English, first impression: a bright copy of the Polish philosopher's historical analysis of Marxist thought, arguably his most influential work. In the Main Current of Marxism, Leszek Kolakowski (1927-2009) examines the development of Marxist ideology against the broader sweep of the cultural history of Europe. Kolakowski grew up in the shadow of the Second World War, but as Poland transitioned from Nazi occupation to Communist domination, his early adherence to communism faded, and his increasing support for democratization set him at odds with the Stalinist regime. The present text reflects Kolakowski's work and thought after that disillusionment. Volume I considers socialist ideologies in the first half of the 19th century, Volume II proceeds to the era of the Second International (1889-1914), and Volume III covers the subsequent evolution of Marxism. Kolakowski's overarching argument is that Marxist ideology reached a golden age during the period of the Second International, when it had been so sufficiently developed as to constitute a definite school of thought, without yet succumbing to the rigid dogmatism which would later characterize it. Of particular note is Kolakowski's judgement that the despotism of Stalin proceeded organically, even inevitably, from the theories of Lenin, which were themselves not fundamentally different from those of Marx and Engels. Kolakowski develops this analysis to contend that events of the Stalinist period would not have inevitably turned out differently if such figures as Trotsky or Bukharin had been the hands guiding them. Reviewing the work for the Journal of International Labour and Working-Class History, Gary Steenson noted that "the combination of a fine mind expressing itself clearly and an accomplished translation makes this book, despite its great length, enjoyable as well as rewarding" (pp. 96-97). Three volumes, octavo. Original dark blue cloth, spines lettered, ruled, and with publisher's device in gilt. With dust jackets. Dust jacket spines lightly sunned, spine ends and corners a little bruised, very occasional pencil markings to volume I; a very good set. Gary Steenson, "Main Currents of Marxism..." Journal of International Labour and Working-Class History, vol. 16, 1979.