Stalin-Wells Talk. The Verbatim Record and A Discussion by G. Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, J.M. Keynes, Ernst Toller and Others. With Three Caricatures and Cover design by LOW.

“KEYNES’ CONTRIBUTION WAS A BRILLIANT AFFAIR... ”

First edition. 8vo (218 x 140mm). 47, [1] pp. Original orange printed wrappers, stapled as issued. A near fine, notably bright copy with only the slightest wear to the corners. London, The New Statesman and Nation.

The discussion between Joseph Stalin and H.G. Wells was controversial, the central thrust of Wells' approach was the belief that Stalin's New Economic Policy and Roosevelt's New Deal were representative of the same global shift towards socialism, an argument that would provoke various charges of Wells being either pro-Stalinist or counter-revolutionary. The debate stimulated sustained editorial comment and discussions in The New Statesman and Nation in subsequent issues, with contributions by Well's,  George Bernard Shaw, and John Maynard Keynes. "Keynes' contribution was a brilliant affair and seemed to hit the nail on the head more truly than the comments of his famous seniors" (Harrod, The Life of John Maynard Keynes, p. 450).

Moggridge, G25.8.

Stock Code: 246413