description of the book:

**"George Lukács" by George Lichtheim (The Viking Press, 1970)**

George Lichtheim's "George Lukács" is a seminal critical study and intellectual biography of the renowned Hungarian Marxist philosopher, literary critic, and aesthetician, Georg Lukács. Published shortly after Lukács's death, the book offers a comprehensive and incisive examination of his vast and often complex oeuvre, charting his intellectual development and political engagements across a turbulent century.

Lichtheim, a distinguished intellectual historian and an expert in Marxist thought, approaches Lukács's work with characteristic rigor and critical acumen. The book delves into:

1. **Philosophical Foundations:** It explores Lukács's early Hegelian influences, his break with positivism, and his development of a distinctive Marxist philosophy, most famously articulated in his groundbreaking work, *History and Class Consciousness* (1923). Lichtheim elucidates key concepts such as reification, totality, and the dialectic.
2. **Literary Criticism and Aesthetics:** A significant portion is dedicated to Lukács's extensive work in literary theory, examining his debates on realism, modernism, and the role of literature in society. Lichtheim analyzes Lukács's engagement with figures like Goethe, Balzac, Tolstoy, and Thomas Mann, as well as his later, more orthodox, Stalinist-era aesthetics.
3. **Political Trajectory:** Lichtheim critically assesses Lukács's often controversial political life, from his revolutionary involvement in the Hungarian Soviet Republic to his alignment with the Communist Party and his subsequent struggles within the Soviet intellectual apparatus. The book unflinchingly addresses the compromises and self-criticisms Lukács made under Stalinism, alongside his later attempts at intellectual renewal.
4. **Context and Legacy:** Lichtheim places Lukács within the broader currents of Western Marxism and European intellectual history, highlighting his unique position as a bridge between classical German philosophy and revolutionary socialist thought. He evaluates Lukács's lasting influence on critical theory, literary studies, and political philosophy.

Lichtheim's work is not merely expository; it is a critical engagement, often challenging Lukács's positions and identifying inconsistencies, particularly between his early, more heterodox Marxism and his later, more orthodox pronouncements. Yet, it also acknowledges Lukács's profound contributions and his status as a towering figure of 20th-century thought.

**Target Audience:** This book is essential reading for scholars and students of Marxism, philosophy, literary theory, intellectual history, and anyone seeking a deep and nuanced understanding of Georg Lukács's life and work. It remains a foundational text for comprehending one of the most significant and enigmatic figures of modern European though