The scholar advocate : Rudolf Schlesinger's writings on Marxism and Soviet historiography
As a notable academic, Marxist writer and one-time political activist, an extensive critique of Rudolf Schlesingerâs writings is long overdue. Raised in the revolutionary atmosphere of early twentieth century Austria, Schlesinger soon became embroiled in central European communism, taking on full-time work for the German Communist Party in Berlin, Prague and Moscow. He left the Soviet Union during the purges, having been described as âalien to the partyâ, and made his way to the UK where he fostered a reputation as an informed and prolific scholar. This investigation is not intended to be a biography of Schlesinger, but rather an âintellectual biographyâ, an examination of his monographs, papers, drafts and memoir reflections. This allows for an appreciation of his academic contribution and an understanding of his unique personal motivation and perspective. Given his experiences, as well as the cultural, political and ideological paradigm from which he emerged, this analysis provides insights into Marxist theory, the labour movement, the Soviet Union and German communism. It also throws light upon the intellectual climate in the West during the cold war, providing a historiographical snapshot of
McKendry, Stephanie J.
DD Germany ; DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics
The scholar advocate : Rudolf Schlesinger's writings on Marxism and Soviet historiography. As a notable academic, Marxist writer and one-time political activist, an extensive critique of Rudolf Schlesingerâs writings is long overdue. Raised in the revolutionary atmosphere of early twentieth century Austria, Schlesinger soon became embroiled in central European communism, taking on full-time work for the German Communist Party in Berlin, Prague and Moscow. He left the Soviet Union during the purges, having been described as âalien to the partyâ, and made his way to the UK where he fostered a reputation as an informed and prolific scholar. This investigation is not intended to be a biography of Schlesinger, but rather an âintellectual biographyâ, an examination of his monographs, papers, drafts and memoir reflections. This allows for an appreciation of his academic contribution and an understanding of his unique personal motivation and perspective. Given his experiences, as well as the cultural, political and ideological paradigm from which he emerged, this analysis provides insights into Marxist theory, the labour movement, the Soviet Union and German communism. It also throws light upon the intellectual climate in the West during the cold war, providing a historiographical snapshot of
scholar advocate writing marxism soviet historiography notable academic marxist writer time political activist extensive critique writing long overdue revolutionary atmosphere austria soon_become central_european communism take full_time work german communist_party berlin prague moscow leave soviet_union purge describe alien party make_way foster reputation inform prolific scholar investigation intend biography rather intellectual biography examination monograph paper draft memoir reflection allows appreciation academic unique personal motivation perspective given experience well cultural_political ideological paradigm emerge analysis provide_insight marxist theory labour_movement soviet_union german communism also throw_light upon intellectual climate west cold_war provide historiographical snapshot