"Julian Roche presents an ambitious discourse on Seve’s Marxist theory of personality and its distinctive contribution to psychology and research in the social sciences. Roche considers the applicability of Marxist biography and a particular strength is the construction of case studies, drawn from Economics, Literature, Philosophy and International Political Economy, that are compelling in their breadth of debate and analysis. Roche’s contemporary correspondence with Seve offers rare and valuable insights into the latter’s thinking around the practical application of his approach. Seve’s clarion call for the emancipation and full development of each individual, provides a positive and uplifting perspective for visionless times. This is an excellent contribution to the field, of interest both to seasoned academics and to those social science researchers not yet conversant with Seve’s view of personality."Dr Mick Wilkinson, Lecturer in Social Justice, School of Education & Social Sciences, University of Hull."This is an important book on the work of French Marxist Lucien Sève, who in a long academic career argues for the importance of individuals and their psychology to social processes, while also placing human activity in concrete social and historical relations. Here, Julian Roche provides the best introduction to Sève’s thought, showing why we should take this seriously in the development of both Marxism and psychology. He then goes on to demonstrate how this would change theory and research in various fields of study in social science and philosophy. With growing interest in Sève’s work in the English-speaking world, this is a timely and wide-ranging book drawing on sources that are not as yet translated."Ian Burkitt, Emeritus Professor, Sociology and Criminology, University of Bradford.
