Synopses & Reviews
Born Lev Davidovich Bronshtein, Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) assumed his name in order to escape the work camps of Siberia in 1898. Born to a Russian-Jewish family in the Ukraine, he became the leading spokesman of the Russian Revolution, the founder of the victorious Red Army of 1918-21, and did more than anyone to create the early Soviet State. Yet despite being identified as Lenin's obvious successor, Trotsky was out-maneuvered by Stalin. In the years that followed, he developed the first systematic critique of Stalin's dictatorship.In 1929, he and his wife were forced out of Russia, moving from Turkey to France, and finally to Mexico, where he was brutally assassinated by a Spanish communist in 1940. Through a series of books including The History of the Russian Revolution, My Life, and The Revolution Betrayed, Trotsky established the possibility of a democratic socialism and the theory of permanent revolution, identifying the struggle against bureaucracy and complacency. Reputed to have been friends at one point with the Mexican revolutionary artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, his influence resonates beyond the political development of the twentieth century.
Review
“Even-handed but sympathetic, learned but not overbearing, Le Blancs expert study leads a reader through the complexities of twentieth century history and the vicissitudes of revolution, while also painting an intense, and at times heartbreaking, portrait of a key player and critic of capitalism and real-existing Communism. Le Blanc provides a sharp assessment of the influence and actions of Trotsky and the Trotskyists, against the backdrop of Hitlers rise to power and the purges unleashed by Trotskys nemesis, Stalin.”
Synopsis
The Life & Times series tells the stories of those who have shaped our present and our past, from Beethoven to Curie, Dietrich to Wilde. Offering expert, eminently readable texts by distinguished authors, these beautifully designed books feature chronologies, full indices, and striking color photos and illustrations. Together, they form a superb modern library of biography. Leon Trotsky was the leading spokesman of the Russian Revolution, the founder of the victorious Red Army, and was instrumental in the creation of the early Soviet State. Yet despite being recognized as Lenin's obvious successor, Trotsky was out-maneuvered by Stalin. In the years that followed, he developed the first systematic critique of Stalin's dictatorship. In 1929, he was forced out of Russia, moving from Turkey, to France, and finally to Mexico, where, in 1940, he was brutally assassinated by a Spanish communist.
Synopsis
Born Lev Davidovich Bronshtein, Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) assumed his name in order to escape the work camps of Siberia in 1898. Born to a Russian-Jewish family in the Ukraine, he became the leading spokesman of the Russian Revolution, the founder of the victorious Red Army of 1918-21, and did more than anyone to create the early Soviet State. Yet despite being identified as Lenin's obvious successor, Trotsky was out-maneuvered by Stalin. In the years that followed, he developed the first systematic critique of Stalin's dictatorship.
Synopsis
Short of the founder of the Red Army later out-manoeuvered by Stalin
Synopsis
Short biography of the founder of the Red Army later out-manoeuvered by Stalin. Leon Trotsky became the leading spokesman of Russian Revolution, and was the founder of the victorious Red Army of 1918-1921, and did more than anyone to create the early soviet state.Yet Trotsky was out-manoeuvred by Stalin in the struggle to succeed Lenin. In the years followed, he developed the firts systematic critique of Stalin's dictatorship. In 1929, he and his wife were forced out of Russia, moving from Turkey to France, and finally to Mexico, where he was brutally assassinated by a Spanish communist in 1940.
About the Author
Dave Renton is a Senior Research Fellow in History at Sunderland University. He specialises in the history of fascism and communism. His other works include CLR James: Cricket's Philosopher King.