Absent Marx, The

?Tyrrell, an Australian historian of the antebellum US, addresses the postwar crisis of American historiography. From a Western Marxist perspective coupled with Foucault's insight on the relation between knowledge and power, Tyrrell evaluates critically the liberal tradition underlying the empiricism and positivism of historical knowledge in the US, and suggests that the new Western Marxist historiography can provide fresh approaches. The author shows breadth of reading and acuity in judgment. The work is solidly researched, thoughtful, well argued, and well written, with each chapter accompanied by useful references. A welcome addition to the literature of historiography....?-Choice