A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig_eBook and Audiobook, with HAP 123-History Teaches Us- Walter Rodney

Book Summary

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig is a biography that delves into the life and legacy of Walter Rodney, a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist, and revolutionary. The book highlights Rodney’s contributions to Caribbean intellectual thought, his critiques of colonialism and imperialism, and his dedication to social justice and the empowerment of the oppressed. Through Rodney’s story, Zeilig explores broader themes of race, class, and resistance in the Caribbean, as well as the impact of Rodney’s work on contemporary movements for social change.

Key Themes and Historical Context:

Introduction to Walter Rodney
- Overview of Rodney’s significance in Caribbean history
- Brief introduction to his early life and background
Early Life and Education
- Rodney’s upbringing in British Guiana
- Educational experiences and early influences
- Development of his political consciousness
Academic Career and Historical Contributions
- Rodney’s work as a historian and scholar
- Key publications and their impact (e.g., “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”)
- Methodological approaches and critiques of traditional historiography
Political Activism and Leader of the People’s Movement
- Involvement in political movements in Guyana
- Formation of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)
- Advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities
Colonialism and Imperialism
- Rodney’s critique of colonial structures
- Analysis of the effects of colonialism on Caribbean societies
- Advocacy for decolonization and self-determination
Exile and International Influence
- Rodney’s experiences of exile and its impact on his work
- Connections with other revolutionary movements in the Caribbean and globally
- Participation in international forums and discussions
Legacy and Impact
- Rodney’s influence on subsequent generations of activists and scholars
- The continuing relevance of his ideas in contemporary struggles
- Commemoration of Rodney’s life and work in cultural memory
Conclusion
- Reflection on Walter Rodney’s contributions as a revolutionary thinker
- The importance of his legacy in the fight for social justice and equality

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story_eBook

Walter Rodney was a scholar, working class militant, and revolutionary from Guyana. Strongly influenced by Marxist ideas, he remains central to radical Pan-Africanist thought for large numbers of activists’ today. Rodney lived through the failed –though immensely hopeful -socialist experiments in the 1960s and 1970s, in Tanzania and elsewhere. The book critically considers Rodney’s contribution to Marxist theory and history, his relationship to dependency theory and the contemporary significance of his work in the context of movements and politics today. The first full-length study of Rodney’s life, this book is an essential introduction to Rodney’s work.