To Live Is to Resist: The Life of Antonio Gramsci

Antonio Gramsci was an Italian intellectual who had a significant impact on philosophy and critical theory. This biography highlights his unwavering spirit and commitment to political practice and resistance, even in the face of imprisonment. Jean-Yves Frétigné's book provides an accessible and compelling portrait of Gramsci's life and works.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

This in-depth biography of Italian intellectual Antonio Gramsci casts new light on his life and writing,emphasizing his unflagging spirit,even in the many years he spent in prison.

One of the most influential political thinkers of the twentieth century, Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937) has left an indelible mark on philosophy and critical theory. His innovative work on history, society, power, and the state has influenced several generations of readers and political activists, and even shaped important developments in postcolonial thought. But Gramscis thinking is scattered across the thousands of notebook pages he wrote while he was imprisoned by Italys fascist government from 1926 until shortly before his death.

To guide readers through Gramscis life and works, historian Jean-Yves Frétigné offers To Live Is to Resist, an accessible, compelling, and deeply researched portrait of an extraordinary figure. Throughout the book, Frétigné emphasizes Gramscis quiet heroism and his unwavering commitment to political practice and resistance. Most powerfully, he shows how Gramsci never surrendered, even in conditions that stripped him of all power—except, of course, the power to think.

Gramsci was born in the small town of Alesina in the province of Apulia in southeastern Italy in 1891. He was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a working-class family. Despite his humble beginnings, Gramsci was a gifted student and excelled in literature and philosophy. He attended the University of Naples, where he studied law and political science.

After completing his studies, Gramsci began working as a journalist and political activist. He was a member of the Italian Communist Party and was involved in the workers movement and the struggle for social justice. In 1921, Gramsci was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison for his political activities.

During his time in prison, Gramsci continued to write and think. He wrote extensively on history, society, and power, and his ideas began to gain traction among intellectuals and political activists. In particular, his work on the concept of cultural hegemony and the role of the intellectual in society had a profound impact on the development of postcolonial thought.

After his release from prison in 1927, Gramsci continued to work as a journalist and political activist. He was appointed to the Italian Parliament in 1929 and became a prominent figure in the Italian Communist Party. However, his political career was cut short by his death in 1937.

Gramsci was a complex and multifaceted figure. He was a brilliant intellectual, a skilled writer, and a committed political activist. His work on history, society, power, and the state has had a lasting impact on philosophy and critical theory, and his ideas continue to inspire readers and political activists around the world.

In conclusion, Antonio Gramsci was a remarkable figure who left an indelible mark on philosophy and critical theory. His innovative work on history, society, power, and the state has influenced several generations of readers and political activists, and his ideas continue to inspire us today. To Live Is to Resist is an accessible and compelling portrait of an extraordinary figure who never surrendered, even in the face of extreme adversity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226829388