On Practice and Contradiction

On Practice and Contradiction collects key writings and speeches by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong between 1937 and 1964. The texts present Mao's interpretations of Marxist theory and his vision for implementing communist revolution in China. The book includes Mao's influential essays "On Practice" and "On Contradiction," which outline his philosophical views on dialectical materialism and social change. These foundational works are accompanied by later speeches and directives addressing Chinese economic development, class struggle, and cultural revolution. Mao's writings engage directly with questions of how theory relates to practical revolutionary action, and how contradictions within society drive historical change. The collection traces the evolution of Mao's thinking from the period of revolutionary warfare through the early years of the People's Republic of China. The texts reveal tensions between orthodox Marxist ideas and Mao's adaptations for Chinese conditions, while highlighting recurring themes of mass mobilization and continuous revolution. This work remains a primary source for understanding Maoist political philosophy and its lasting influence.

Readers view this collection of Mao's writings as a complex theoretical work demanding careful study. Many note it provides clearer insights into Mao's philosophy compared to the Little Red Book. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of dialectical materialism - Analysis of contradictions in society - Translation quality by Verso Books - Historical context through editor's notes Common criticisms: - Dense academic language makes concepts hard to grasp - Repetitive arguments across essays - Limited practical applications for modern readers - Some find the tone dogmatic From one reader: "His discussions of antagonistic vs non-antagonistic contradictions helped me understand dialectics, though the writing style is very dry." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (478 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Several reviewers note this book works better as a supplement to other works on Marxist theory rather than an introduction to Mao's ideas.

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx This foundational text presents the core principles of communist theory and class struggle that influenced Mao's revolutionary ideology.

State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin The text outlines the Marxist theory of state, class conflict, and revolution that formed the basis for Maoist thought on political transformation.

Selected Works by Ho Chi Minh These writings demonstrate the application of Marxist-Leninist principles to anti-colonial struggle in Asia during the same historical period as Mao.

Guerrilla Warfare by Che Guevara This manual of revolutionary strategy reflects many of the military and political concepts found in Mao's writings on people's war.

Combat Liberalism by Liu Shaoqi This work expands on Maoist concepts of ideological struggle and party discipline within the Chinese Communist movement.

🔸 The book contains Mao's famous essay "On Contradiction" (1937), which applies Marxist dialectical materialism to Chinese conditions and became one of the foundational texts of "Mao Zedong Thought" 🔸 Many of the essays in this collection were written during the Long March (1934-35), when Mao and his followers traveled over 6,000 miles on foot to escape Nationalist forces 🔸 The text was required reading during China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), with millions of copies printed in the "Little Red Book" that Chinese citizens were expected to carry 🔸 Despite being a revolutionary text, Mao wrote much of the philosophical content while studying traditional Chinese texts, particularly drawing inspiration from ancient military strategist Sun Tzu 🔸 The book's concepts of "primary and secondary contradictions" influenced revolutionary movements worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s