Review by Choice Review
Bukharin's Philosophical Arabesques, written in 1937 while he was in prison awaiting execution, was hidden in the Soviet archives for over 50 years and has only now been published in English. In this work Bukharin does not wholly reject previous and contemporary philosophies. Rather, he maintains that they are partially accurate perspectives on the truth. However, he claims that Marxism provides the correct view, the whole in which all other philosophies can be seen as only partial truths. He continually engages other philosophers as he articulates his own position. Philosophies are products of their times, according to Bukharin, and so alternatives to Marxism exhibit the distorted nature of the social conditions in which they are produced. He further argues that Marxism alone unifies theory and practice, integrating reason and emotion. Helena Sheehan's introduction, "A Voice from the Dead," provides a brief biography of Bukharin and a useful discussion of the historical background and contemporary context in which this book was written. Philosophical Arabesques will be welcomed by those interested in the history of Marxism and the former Soviet Union, as well as those concerned to develop alternatives to global capitalism. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. J. M. Fritzman Lewis and Clark College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
