Description
Book SynopsisThe book examines the role that theoretical thinking and intellectual discussion played in preparing the downfall of communism. Drawing on the impact of various 20th century thinkers it revisits debates on the end of history, utopia, and man, as well as controversies over gender and the political implications of theory.
Trade Review"Each chapter is beautifully written, thoughtful, ironic, trenchant, and simply interesting." -- -Judith Butler University of California, Berkeley "In short, this is a book that is both deeply original and an important contribution to work in the field; a book that is accessible to an interdisciplinary audience and of remarkable theoretical and scholarly sophistication." -- -Elizabeth Weed Brown University "Nikolchina provides a challenging account both of the internal dynamics of East European culture just before the collapse of Communist regimes and of the, perhaps inevitable, clash between dissident thinkers from Eastern Europe and western post-structuralist academics in this period and beyond. Her highly personal and engaging narrative concludes with a courageous and ambitious attempt to bring about a much needed dialogue between Eastern Western European modes of thinking." -- -Andrew Wachtel President, American University of Central Asia
