Key Writings

Henri Lefebvre (1901-91) was a French Marxist sociologist, intellectual and philosopher. He held a range of academic posts both in France and America and wrote almost 70 books. His work influenced the development of philosophy, sociology, geography, political science and literary criticism.Stuart Elden is a Professor of Political Geography at Durham University.Elizabeth Lebas is Senior Lecturer in the History of Art and Architecture at Middlesex University.Eleonore Kofman is Professor of Gender and Migration (Social Policy) at Middlesex University.

Henri Lefebvre is widely recognized as one of the most influential social theorists of the Twentieth Century. His writings on cities, everyday life, and the production of space have become hugely influential across Cultural Studies, Sociology, Geography and Architecture. Key Writings presents the full range of Lefebvre's thought in a single volume. The selection of essays spanning 1933 to 1990, reinforce the relevance of Lefebvre's work to current debates in social theory, politics and philosophy. The book is divided into five sections: 'Philosophy and Marxism', 'The Critique of Everyday Life', 'The Country and the City' 'History, Time and Space' and 'Politics' and includes a general introduction by the editors as well as separate introductions to each section.

A collection of Henri Lefebvre's key works, spanning the length of his writing life.

Lefebvre is a hugely influential thinker who has had a profound influence on cultural studies, sociology, philosophy and architecture.

AcknowledgementsIntroduction: Coming to Terms with Lefbvre- Stuart Elden andElizabeth LebasMarxism and PhilosophyIntroduction - Stuart EldenRetrospections (from L 'Existentialisme, 1946)Unity of the Doctrine (from Dialectical Materialism, 1939)Prolegomenas (from Metaphilosophie, 1965)Marxian Thought and Sociology (from The Sociology of Marx, 1966) Beyond Structuralism (from Au-de/a du structuralisme, 1971)Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche (from Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche ou le royaume des ombres, 1975)Triads and Dyads (from La Presence et L'absence, 1980) Twelve Theses on Logic and Dialectic (from Logique formelle, logique dialectique, 3rd edn, 1982)State (from Le Retour de La dialectique, 1986) Becoming and the Historical (from Le Retour de la dialectique, 1986)The Critique of Everyday LifeIntroduction- Elizabeth LebasMystification: Notes for a Critique of Everyday Life (Henri Lefebvre and Norbert Guterman, Avant Poste, 2 [1933])Elucidations (from Critique de La vie quotidienne II: Fondements d'une sociologie de La quotidiennete, 1961)The Social Text (from Critique de la vie quotidienne II: Fondements d'une sociologie de la quotidiennete, 1961)The End of Modernity? (from Critique de La vie quotidienne Ill: De fa modernite au modernisme (Pour une metaphilosophie du quotidien), 1981)On Vulgarity (from Critique de Ia vie quotidienne IlL De la modernite au modernisme (Pour une mhaphilosophie du quotidien), 1981)Myths in Everyday Life (from Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie, XXXIII (1962))The Country and the CityIntroduction- Eleonore Kofman Perspectives on Rural Sociology (from Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie, XIV (1953))Preface to the Study of the Habitat of the 'Pavilion' (from L 'Habitat Pavillonnaire, 1966)Levels and Dimensions (from La Revolution urbaine, 1970) The Other Parises (from Espaces et Societes, 13/14 (1974-5)History, Time and SpaceIntroduction - Stuart EldenThe Inventory (from La Somme et le reste, 1959)Time and History (from La Fin de l'histoire, 1970)The Style of the Commune (from La Proclamation de La commune, 1965)The Rhythmanalytical Project (Henri Lefebvre and Catherine Regulier, Communications, 41 (1985))The Worldwide Experience (from De l'Etat, Vol IV, 1978)Preface to the New Edition (from La Production de l'espace, 3rd edn, 1986)PoliticsIntroduction - Elizabeth LebasNation and Culture (from Norbert Guterman and Henri Lefebvre, La Conscience mystifiee, 1936)Between Yourself and You (from Norbert Guterman and Henri Lefebvre, La Conscience mystifiee, 1936)Being a Communist (from La Somme et le reste, 1959) From the Social Pact to the Contract of Citizenship (from Du Contrat de citoyennete, 1990)Some Questions About Asking Questions (from M: Marxisme, Mensuel, Mouvement, 7 (Janvier 1987))Notes Index