Monthly Review Press

Caribbean Quarterly reviews Jane Franklin’s “Cuba and the U.S. Empire”

Caribbean Quarterly reviews Jane Franklin’s “Cuba and the U.S. Empire”

In this new edition, Franklin calls for persons to be a little more circumspect about the motivations for the ‘Cuban Thaw’, as it is known in the US. This is because Cuba-US relations are not simply a product of the Cold War, or a relict thereof; they are a barometer of American imperial politics since the 18th century. And as US imperialism continues to develop, attention to the rapprochement strategy is required, lest one overlook the changing social pacts and geo-political currents to which they are attuned….

“Karl Marx’s Ecosocialism” most extensive study to date: Workers’ Liberty

“Karl Marx’s Ecosocialism” most extensive study to date: Workers’ Liberty

Saito exhaustively combs through Marx’s published works, as well as his excerpt notebooks. The book draws out the dialogue between Marx and natural scientists of his epoch. It successfully explains the influence of natural science on Marx, but also how Marx developed new innovations as a result of this reading. Saito convincingly demonstrates the origins of Marx’s metabolic theory…

KPFA: Africa Today talks to Gerald Horne about “Jazz and Justice”

KPFA: Africa Today talks to Gerald Horne about “Jazz and Justice”

Walter Turner, host of Africa Today, broadcasting weekly from Berkeley radio station KPFA, recently talked with historian Gerald Horne about one of his latest books, Jazz and Justice: Racism and the Political Economy of the Music. Please note that their conversation took place during a KPFA pledge drive, which is now over — although you’re more than welcome to support the station (and Africa Today) anytime…

“Magisterial Biography”: Morning Star reviews Heinrich’s “Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society”

“Magisterial Biography”: Morning Star reviews Heinrich’s “Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society”

In a short appendix to this first of what is to be a multi-volume biography of Karl Marx — which is bound to become a referential touchstone for any subsequent treatment of his life and works — Michael Heinrich examines how biographical writing is possible today and the reader should start with this essay in order to recognise the intentions and detailed scope of his treatment of Marx through his childhood and youth from 1818 to 1841…

Marx & Philosophy reviews “From Commune to Capitalism”

Marx & Philosophy reviews “From Commune to Capitalism”

What is remarkable about China’s agrarian reforms is that, despite their pivotal role in ending socialist production, some on the left have offered quite positive evaluations. ¶ Zhun Xu is a skeptic of these accounts….