Trotsky: The Eternal Revolutionary - Softcover

Volkogonov, Dmitri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006380700 ISBN 13: 9780006380702

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1997

Synopsis

Together with Lenin, Trotsky was the most charismatic and dominating figure of the Russian revolution. A dynamic public speaker, a brilliant organizer and theorist, he was largely responsible for advocating the system of state terror which was ultimately to lead to the nightmare of Stalinism. This biography describes Trotsky's career as a revolutionary before World War I and his roles successively as chief organizer of the October revolution, military hero of the Russian civil war and outspoken critic of the Stalinst style of leadership. Widely regarded as Lenin's likely successor, Trotsky was outmanoeuvred by his enemy, Stalin and found himself expelled from the Communist Party, written out of the history of the revolution, exiled and finally murdered in Mexico by Stalin's agents. The author tracked down members of Stalin's overseas hit-squad and found relatives of Trotsky in Russia. Combined with his access to Soviet archives, this biography lends insight into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, whose faith in the world socialist revolution remained undimmed to the end.

About this title

Review:

‘Volkogonov is the first historian to have had access to the enormous archives in Moscow adn to make full use of his opportunity... there’s plenty for hte general reader in Harold Shulman’s admirable translation.’
David Floyd, Daily Telegraph

‘In every part of his narrative Volkogonov has deployed previously unknown detail, often in striking and illuminating fashion.’
Robert Conquest, New Republic

From the Back Cover:

Following 'Stalin' (1991) and 'Lenin' (1994), Dmitri Volkogonov completes his grand trilogy of biographies of the giants who dominated the history of the Soviet Union.

A dynamic and inspiring public speaker, military hero of the Russian civil war, and a brilliant organiser and theorist, Trotsky also played a large part in advocating the system of state terror which was ultimately to lead to the nightmare of Stalinism. Widely regarded as Lenin's likely successor, he was outmanoeuvred by his implacable enemy, Stalin, expelled from the Communist Party, and finally murdered in Mexico in 1940 by Stalin's agents.

"A most perceptive study of the great revolutionary...Volkogonov's book should dissipate the last illusions of those on the left in the West who still see Trotsky a an advocate of a more humane, if not indeed quasi-democratic, path to socialism...Dmitri Volkogonov deserves a place of honour in the ranks of Russian historians."
ADAM ULAM, 'Wall Street Journal'

"Volkogonov is the first historian to have had access to the enormous archives in Moscow and to make full use of his opportunity...there's plenty for the general reader in Harold Shukman's admirable translation."
DAVID FLOYD, 'Daily Telegraph'

"In every part of his narrative Volkogonov has deployed previously unknown detail, often in striking and illuminating fashion."
ROBERT CONQUEST, 'New Republic'

"Absorbing...I now place Volkogonov's great biographical triptych (Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky) at the top of my reading list on the Russian revolution."
NIALL FERGUSON, 'Sunday Times'

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0006380700
• ISBN 13: 9780006380702
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 576