Edited by Larry Patriquin. Leiden: Brill, 2012; Chicago: Haymarket, 2013. 335 pp.

Ellen Meiksins Wood (1942-2016) was a leading political theorist who taught at York University, Toronto, from 1967 to 1996. She elaborated an innovative approach to the history of political thought, the “social history of political theory.” She has been described as the founder, together with the historian Robert Brenner, of “Political Marxism,” a distinct version of historical materialism which has inspired a research program that spans a number of academic disciplines.

Organized thematically, this Reader brings together selections from Wood’s groundbreaking scholarship, published over more than three decades, providing an overview of her original interpretations of capitalism, precapitalist societies, the state, political theory, democracy, citizenship, liberalism, civil society, the Enlightenment, globalization, imperialism, and socialism.

The prolific nature of Wood’s diverse writings obviously deserves close scrutiny. The collection of many of Wood’s most valuable contributions in one volume promises to house their insights in a fashion amenable for its introduction to a new generation of scholars and activists. Moreover, the important introductory chapter by Larry Patriquin offers a synoptic overview of the “method” of Ellen Meiksins Wood, which merits discussion by those interested in Political Marxism.

politicalmarxism.wordpress.com

… an excellent collection of Wood’s writings.

socialistworker.org