John Rees is the Editor of International Socialism and a leading member of the Socialist Workers Party. He is the author of The ABC of Socialism and In Defence of October

'Without doubt a tour de force ... For every socialist who wants to develop their understanding of Marxism, this book essential reading.' - Bookmarks Review of Books'Rees's sophisticated ananlysis of dialectics, from Hegel through to the classical Marxists, is both challenging and rewarding ... (the) book admirably conveys the passion and excitement, and the pleasure of dialectics. - Contemporary Politics'Its outstanding characteristic is its exceptional lucidity - the way in which it deals with what are by any standards difficult theoretical issues without oversimplification but with superb clarity.' - Bookmarks'An excellent outline of the "classical Marxist tradition"' - Radical Philosophy'Its outstanding characteristic is its exceptional lucidity - the way in which it deals with what are by any standards difficult theoretical issues without oversimplification but with superb clarity.' - Bookmarks'An excellent outline of the "classical Marxist tradition"' - Radical Philosophy

• Introduction: Contradictions of Contemporary Capitalism1 Hegel’s Algebra of Revolution 2 The Dialectic in Marx and Engels 3 The First Crisis of Marxism 4 Lenin and Philosophy 5 The Legacy of Lukacs 6 Trotsky and the Dialectic of History Conclusion: Contradictions of Contemporary Theory