Art and Revolution: Writings on Literature, Politics, and Culture

Unlike Stalin or even Lenin, Trotsky was a true intellectual. His appreciation of the art and literature of his time is quite impressive. He had a deep appreciation of the broader artistic endeavors of his time. His viewpoint was not just narrowly focused on economics. Well worth reading.

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This is a marvelous book which brings out the deep humanistic sensibility that lay at the heart of one of the twentieth century's great socialist revolutionaries. Trotsky's writings show that Marxism is far from being a sterile set of formulas which relegate art, literature, music, love, and our emotional lives to the sidelines, in favor of economics. No, the book shows that Marxist ideas are so powerful because they can illuminate the complex connections between economic structures and the varied human creativity expressed in all forms of art. It also takes a strong stand against censorship and for freedom, not only in capitalist societies, but in post-capitalist ones, such as the Soviet Union, where Stalinists had made a mockery of artistic freedom in the name of socialism. These ideas are illustarted by a fascinating set of writings, including literary reviews, correspondence with artists like Andre Breton and analysis of the challenges facing artists and writers in the Soviet Union.

With razor-sharp insight and wit, Trotsky points to the necessity for art to exist free from political and social agendas, as well as from the shackles, the stereotypes, the dark ignorance of reactionary class rule. These are not at all contradictory goals. Trotsky declares boldly in these articles that artistic truth must be based not on any particular literary school or dogma but on "the immutable faith of the artist in his own inner self." In this collection Trotsky debates Stalinists, appreciates Tolstoy, Essenin, Gorky, and Jack London, and slam-dunks Winston Churchill's pretentious writings. Must reading for activists who seek to advance their understanding of the arts as well as for writers and artists seeking to understand how their work relates to society. If not available from Amazon, booksfrompathfinder will have it--click on "new and used" near the top of the page.