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From Marx to Mao Tse-tung: A Study in Revolutionary Dialectics
This is a Marxist study of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Chinese Revolution of 1949, designed to demonstrate their unity and continuity as two successive stages in the world socialist revolution. Their common theoretical foundation is expounded by means of extensive quotations from the Marxist classics, especially the writings of Lenin and Mao Tse-tung. These enable the reader to follow the two revolutions through the minds of those who led them, and at the same time they provide him with an introduction to the basic principles of dialectical and historical materialism; for that theory can only be understood in the light of the revolutionary struggles out of which it has grown and in which it finds its fullest and clearest expression
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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About the author
George Derwent Thomson
28 books12 followersGeorge Derwent Thomson (Irish: Seoirse Mac Tomáis) was an English classical scholar, Marxist philosopher, and scholar of the Irish language.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 2, 2017
Amazing introduction to (marxism-leninism) maoism. It explains several aspects of marxism and the building of socialism through enlightening texts from major revolutionaries (Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Mao mainly). These fragments are a fine selection and not necessarily the most well known ones, so they are refreshing even if you've read more on the topic.
A maoist himself, Thomson criticises several aspects of the handling of contradictions in the Soviet Union (mainly bureaucracy and repression), but at no point paints the soviet leaders as stupid or monstruous; instead he provides the historical context necessary to understand those decisions (being the only socialist country in the world, under attack from imperialism and recovering from a revolution, a civil war and a world war).
Lenin's texts advocating for a proletarian cultural revolution were a very refreshing read, since it is not something onesees around often.
A maoist himself, Thomson criticises several aspects of the handling of contradictions in the Soviet Union (mainly bureaucracy and repression), but at no point paints the soviet leaders as stupid or monstruous; instead he provides the historical context necessary to understand those decisions (being the only socialist country in the world, under attack from imperialism and recovering from a revolution, a civil war and a world war).
Lenin's texts advocating for a proletarian cultural revolution were a very refreshing read, since it is not something onesees around often.
February 11, 2021
An amazing introduction to dialectical and historical materialism. Provides a very good analysis of how Marxists should utilize dialectics in discourse. Provides a very good introduction to how Marxism-Leninism was formulated and how it is applied in different examples throughout history and the stages of society. It provides pretty decently, if not to an extent flawed, critique of Stalin and the USSR in its later stages. Provides the best definitions of the different rightist tendencies and how they arose which can often be lacking from the works of this era.
All in all, it is a good introduction and can serve as the basis for different study groups acquainting themselves with Marxism-Leninism and to understand (irregardless of what you think about it) Mao Zedong Thought.
All in all, it is a good introduction and can serve as the basis for different study groups acquainting themselves with Marxism-Leninism and to understand (irregardless of what you think about it) Mao Zedong Thought.
July 29, 2017
Compact and useful introduction. A breeze to read.
June 26, 2014
An excellent primer for future MLM studies. Very happy to have been recommended this author.
March 24, 2022
A useful little book of Lenin quotes (with some Mao and Stalin thrown in), organised by theme. Marx features only barely, the focus being on ’actually existing socialism’. Although not a ’study’ by any stretch of the imagination, the approach is theoretical, with no reference to actual life under the Soviet and Chinese regimes. The only time the author ventures to comment on this is a horribly self-deluded defense of Stalin’s sham trials of the 1930s, although the real state of things (also the human cost of collectivisation both in the USSR and China) was common knowledge by the book’s publication in 1971. In addition to being a primer on Lenin, I guess the book’s most lasting value is as a document of the curious Stalinist strain of the British post-war left.
August 8, 2022
This book is an introduction to Marxism-Leninism-Maoism based on collection of quotes from prominent Marxists (Marx and Engels, Lenin and Stalin, and Mao) with paragraphs elaborating on them. The focus of this book is on “Actually-Existing Socialist Countries” (AES), in particular the USSR and the People’s Republic of China.
Rather dense with Marxist terminology. I would not recommend this book to someone who wasn’t already familiar with Marxism in general. If you’ve read some of essential writings from the aforementioned authors, you’ll likely find this book as a neat compilation of the history and philosophy which helped form Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
Rather dense with Marxist terminology. I would not recommend this book to someone who wasn’t already familiar with Marxism in general. If you’ve read some of essential writings from the aforementioned authors, you’ll likely find this book as a neat compilation of the history and philosophy which helped form Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
October 20, 2025
3.5
A dated, but still interesting look at the evolution of revolutionary dialectics from Marx through the two major world-historical revolutions of the 20th century. It reads as an ABCs of Marxism-Leninism(-Maoism) for the most part, but frequent quoations from the major revolutionary figures certainly help justify its position.
Ultimately more of an introduction than a serious work of theory.
A dated, but still interesting look at the evolution of revolutionary dialectics from Marx through the two major world-historical revolutions of the 20th century. It reads as an ABCs of Marxism-Leninism(-Maoism) for the most part, but frequent quoations from the major revolutionary figures certainly help justify its position.
Ultimately more of an introduction than a serious work of theory.
September 20, 2024
maoists are crazy man
November 8, 2013
Pretty decent introduction to the ideas of Marxism-Leninism+Mao. Probably not an easy read for someone new to the subject so I wouldn't really recommend it without a grasp of communist terms. It does provide a useful summary of the key elements, which makes it useful for an introduction if you have the basics down. It uses lots of Lenin/Stalin/Mao quotes to make its points, which is something that's good and I'd rather more things that rely on their authority did. Although it's obviously positive about all these people, it avoids the hagiographic style you sometimes see. Overall it's decent. Nothing too exciting, but it gets the job done.
(Sad to see him excited about the cultural revolution. Hindsight :()
(Sad to see him excited about the cultural revolution. Hindsight :()
November 25, 2008
A short, useful survey (is that all I'm reading these days) synthesizing key points of convergence and divergence in the thinking of Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao on major questions of revolutionary strategy and theory.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews