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History of the Russian Revolution: Volume 3
The Russian Revolution of 1917 can be regarded as the greatest event in human history. For the first time, millions of workers and peasants took political power into their own hands, sweeping aside the despotic rule of the capitalists and landlords, and setting out to create a socialist world order based upon the rule of the Soviet of Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies. Capitalism had broken at its weakest link. The Russian Revolution heralded the beginning of the world revolution, inspiring the hopes and dreams of millions. Notwithstanding the terrible backwardness of Russia, the new Socialist Soviet Republic represented a decisive threat to the world capitalist order. It struck terror in the ruling classes everywhere, which rightly regarded it as a threat to their power and privileges. Leon Trotsky's History of these events is a masterpiece. It was the first time that a scientific history of a great event has been written by a man who played a dominant part in it. Together with Lenin, he led the Bolshevik Revolution, and lived throughout its stormy events. However, this book is not simply a dramatic narrative, but a profound analysis of the inner forces of the Revolution. It remains by far the best account of the Russian Revolution today.
This volume covers the lead up to the October Revolution and the triumph of the Soviets.
This volume covers the lead up to the October Revolution and the triumph of the Soviets.
420 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2022
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About the author
Leon Trotsky
1,088 books796 followersSee also Лев Троцкий
Russian theoretician Leon Trotsky or Leon Trotski, originally Lev Davidovitch Bronstein, led the Bolshevik of 1917, wrote Literature and Revolution in 1924, opposed the authoritarianism of Joseph Stalin, and emphasized world; therefore later, the Communist party in 1927 expelled him and in 1929 banished him, but he included the autobiographical My Life in 1930, and the behest murdered him in exile in Mexico.
The exile of Leon Trotsky in 1929 marked rule of Joseph Stalin.
People better know this Marxist. In October 1917, he ranked second only to Vladimir Lenin. During the early days of the Soviet Union, he served first as commissar of people for foreign affairs and as the founder and commander of the Red Army and of war. He also ranked among the first members of the Politburo.
After a failed struggle of the left against the policies and rise in the 1920s, the increasing role of bureaucracy in the Soviet Union deported Trotsky. An early advocate of intervention of Army of Red against European fascism, Trotsky also agreed on peace with Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. As the head of the fourth International, Trotsky continued to the bureaucracy in the Soviet Union, and Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent, eventually assassinated him. From Marxism, his separate ideas form the basis of Trotskyism, a term, coined as early as 1905. Ideas of Trotsky constitute a major school of Marxist. The Soviet administration never rehabilitated him and few other political figures.
Russian theoretician Leon Trotsky or Leon Trotski, originally Lev Davidovitch Bronstein, led the Bolshevik of 1917, wrote Literature and Revolution in 1924, opposed the authoritarianism of Joseph Stalin, and emphasized world; therefore later, the Communist party in 1927 expelled him and in 1929 banished him, but he included the autobiographical My Life in 1930, and the behest murdered him in exile in Mexico.
The exile of Leon Trotsky in 1929 marked rule of Joseph Stalin.
People better know this Marxist. In October 1917, he ranked second only to Vladimir Lenin. During the early days of the Soviet Union, he served first as commissar of people for foreign affairs and as the founder and commander of the Red Army and of war. He also ranked among the first members of the Politburo.
After a failed struggle of the left against the policies and rise in the 1920s, the increasing role of bureaucracy in the Soviet Union deported Trotsky. An early advocate of intervention of Army of Red against European fascism, Trotsky also agreed on peace with Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. As the head of the fourth International, Trotsky continued to the bureaucracy in the Soviet Union, and Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent, eventually assassinated him. From Marxism, his separate ideas form the basis of Trotskyism, a term, coined as early as 1905. Ideas of Trotsky constitute a major school of Marxist. The Soviet administration never rehabilitated him and few other political figures.
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October 4, 2025
This volume is really the climax of the trilogy. I’ve never read something so electrifying.
Trotsky here disproves many lies of the Stalinist bureaucracy about the history of the Revolution, and also puts to death all the bourgeois slanders about the October Insurrection. It is fascinating to see the role of the masses and the dialectical relationship between the masses and the Bolshevik Party. A masterpiece to be sure—and my favorite of the trilogy.
“The historic ascent of humanity, taken as a whole, may be summarised as a succession of victories of consciousness over blind forces—in nature, in society, in man himself. Critical and creative thought can boast of its greatest victories up to now in the struggle with nature. The physico-chemical sciences have already reached a point where man is clearly about to become master of matter. But social relations are still forming in the manner of the coral islands. Parliamentarism illumined only the surface of society, and even that with a rather artificial light.
In comparison with monarchy and other heirlooms from the cannibals and cave-dwellers, democracy is of course a great conquest, but it leaves the blind play of forces in the social relations of men untouched. It was against this deeper sphere of the unconscious that the October Revolution was the first to raise its hand. The Soviet system wishes to bring aim and plan into the very basis of society, where up to now only accumulated consequences have reigned.” – ibid.
Trotsky here disproves many lies of the Stalinist bureaucracy about the history of the Revolution, and also puts to death all the bourgeois slanders about the October Insurrection. It is fascinating to see the role of the masses and the dialectical relationship between the masses and the Bolshevik Party. A masterpiece to be sure—and my favorite of the trilogy.
“The historic ascent of humanity, taken as a whole, may be summarised as a succession of victories of consciousness over blind forces—in nature, in society, in man himself. Critical and creative thought can boast of its greatest victories up to now in the struggle with nature. The physico-chemical sciences have already reached a point where man is clearly about to become master of matter. But social relations are still forming in the manner of the coral islands. Parliamentarism illumined only the surface of society, and even that with a rather artificial light.
In comparison with monarchy and other heirlooms from the cannibals and cave-dwellers, democracy is of course a great conquest, but it leaves the blind play of forces in the social relations of men untouched. It was against this deeper sphere of the unconscious that the October Revolution was the first to raise its hand. The Soviet system wishes to bring aim and plan into the very basis of society, where up to now only accumulated consequences have reigned.” – ibid.
Displaying 1 of 1 review