Synopses & Reviews
Lenin
Beryl Williams' new book is a clear introduction to the life, ideology and impact of Lenin, one of the formative figures of the twentieth-century world.
It provides an excellent introduction to Lenin and his role in the Russian Revolution. An objective account of his years in power between 1917 and 1924, it is written in the light of new documents made available since the Gorbachev era and the end of the Soviet Union. Beryl Williams provides an up to date evaluation of:
Lenin's life and thoughts and the importance of ideology in both
the cultural revolution
Lenin's foreign policy and expansionism
Lenin's cult and the re-evaluation of his legacy that has taken place
during the last decade.
Beryl Williams' lucid study of Lenin's life and work adds to the recent debates that have seen a re-examination of the revolution and Lenin himself, since the collapse of communism.
and is author of The Russian Revolution 1917-21.
Review
Williams has done a splendid job of reading and re-reading new and old sources to produce a thoroughly readable and reliable account of Lenins life.
History Review
Synopsis
Drawing on the flood of new material to emerge from Russian and Western sources in recent years, Beryl Williams focuses on Lenin's years in power and provides first-rate introduction to the life, ideology and impact of one of the formative figures of the 20th-century.
Within an overall chronological framework, Williams examines topics such as cultural revolution, foreign policy and expansion. As well as being an examination of Lenin's life and work, this is an up-to-date evaluation of recent historiographical debates and literature in the context of the period.
Synopsis
Lenin
Beryl Williams' new book is a clear introduction to the life, ideology and impact of Lenin, one of the formative figures of the twentieth-century world.
It provides an excellent introduction to Lenin and his role in the Russian Revolution. An objective account of his years in power between 1917 and 1924, it is written in the light of new documents made available since the Gorbachev era and the end of the Soviet Union. Beryl Williams provides an up to date evaluation of:
Lenin's life and thoughts and the importance of ideology in both
the cultural revolution
Lenin's foreign policy and expansionism
Lenin's cult and the re-evaluation of his legacy that has taken place
during the last decade.
Beryl Williams' lucid study of Lenin's life and work adds to the recent debates that have seen a re-examination of the revolution and Lenin himself, since the collapse of communism.
and is author of The Russian Revolution 1917-21.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Rethinking Lenin.
1. The Making of a Revolutionary.
2. The Making of a Revolutionary Party.
3. The Approach to Power.
4. Power: The Commune State.
5. Power: The Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
6. Rethinking the Revolution.
7. A Cultural Revolution.
8. Exporting the Revolution.
9. Conclusion: 'Lenin Lives'.
Glossary.
Chronology.
Important Members of Lenin's Government.
Bibliographical Essay.
Maps.