The Marxist Tradition: From Feuerbach to Adorno

The Marxist Tradition: From Feuerbach to Adorno by Andrew Conley offers a comprehensive exploration of the development of Marxist thought from its early philosophical roots to its critical adaptations in the 20th century. The book begins with an analysis of Ludwig Feuerbach's influence on Karl Marx, examining how Marx's early work, including the Theses on Feuerbach, laid the groundwork for his materialist conception of history. It traces the evolution of Marx's ideas through his engagement with Hegelian philosophy, his critique of capitalism, and his vision of historical materialism. Conley goes on to explore the key theoretical contributions of Marxism through figures like Engels, who helped shape the early movement, and extends into the pivotal contributions made by thinkers like Georg Lukács, Antonio Gramsci, and the Frankfurt School—particularly Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer. The book delves into the ways these thinkers reinterpreted and expanded Marxist theory to address the challenges of their times, such as the rise of fascism, the persistence of capitalist hegemony, and the changing nature of class struggle in an increasingly globalized world.