G. V. Plekhanov (1856–1918)

The Role of the Individual in History was first published in 1898, and occupies a very prominent place among those of Plekhanov's works in which he substantiates and defends Marxism and advocates the Marxian theory of social development. Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov (1856-1918) was one of the leaders of Russian populism and after his emigration to Western Europe in 1880 became the foremost Russian Marxist abroad. He founded in 1883, together with Pavel Axelrod, the 'Group for the Liberation of Labor', the first Russian social democratic party, and in 1900 together with Lenin the 'Iskra', the first Russian Marxist newspaper, but a few years later broke with Lenin and sided with the Mensheviks.… (more)

Just like G.V. Plekhanov's other famous work, "The Development of the Monist Theory of History", this book addresses criticisms of historical materialism as well as misrepresentations by so-called Marxists themselves. All of the relevant issues and critiques are discussed, from the contrast between the materialism of Marx and Feuerbach to the role of race and geography in historical development. Plekhanov defends historical materialism from detractors and misguided supporters consistently and intelligently, and this book is a must read for everyone interested in Marxism and/or historiography.

This edition also contains Plekhanov's essays "The Role of the Individual in History" and "The Materialist Conception of History", where the latter is a summary of the principles of historical materialism in the form of a review of the works of Antonio Labriola. The introduction, by a certain James Allen, is particularly excellent and goes into all the relevant points and issues with Plekhanovs work. Strongly recommended.… (more)