Raymond Williams was a towering figure in twentieth-century intellectual life. Though he is primarily thought of as a literary scholar, his work crossed disciplinary boundaries, and he made groundbreaking contributions to numerous fields, most notably social and cultural theory.
This book focuses in particular on the formation and application of his cultural-materialist methodology to society and politics. Addressing aspects of Williams's work that have startlingly direct relevance to the prospects for socialism and progressive change in the 21st century, Jim McGuigan analyzes Williams's often complicated work in a clear, accessible fashion, making connections across key concepts and delivering the perfect introduction for people first grappling with Williams's thought.