Georg Lukács's History and Class Consciousness is a cornerstone of Western Marxist thought, profoundly influencing critical theory. Published in 1923, it re-examines the foundations of Marxism, particularly the concepts of reification and the dialectical relationship between subject and object. Lukács argues for the crucial role of class consciousness in revolutionary change, asserting that the proletariat, through its collective understanding, can transcend alienated existence. The book's complex arguments on totality and the historical process have made it an enduring classic, sparking debates across philosophy, sociology, and political theory for decades.