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An Appeal to the Toiling, Oppressed and Exhausted Peoples of Europe
Whether calling for an end to the capitalist system, addressing the crowds after the Russian Revolution, or attacking Stalin during his years of exile, Trotsky’s speeches give an extraordinary insight into a man whose words and actions determined the fates of millions.
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves – and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives – and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves – and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives – and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2008
13 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Leon Trotsky
1,068 books800 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 20, 2020
An alright Trotsky mixtape.
August 12, 2016
Today this class struggle is pretty much ignored by the western consumerist society who watches revolutions live on TV, which is busy exposing its inner self on social websites or by having wet dreams every time Apple releases a new toy - of course made by desperate Chinese workers or when a famous fashion brand releases a new collection which uses cotton picked up by poor sods from India paid with 5 cents per day! Yay! Bring on the cheap stuff baby!
Leaving aside the historical aspect of this movement, for me nowadays this book exposes the hypocrisy of the west today, which created socialism for its own through means of capitalist oppression (corporations exploiting the poor abroad) to provide cheap products back home and imperialism, which plundered savagely the colonies for so many centuries.
I just want to say that it's hard to find interest about these remote problems today when living here in socialist Western Europe, where life is so cozy for the medium class, which now includes the workers Trotsky was crying about in Soviet Russia, elevated today to the ranks of the new bourgeoisie. But then, so what?
Leaving aside the historical aspect of this movement, for me nowadays this book exposes the hypocrisy of the west today, which created socialism for its own through means of capitalist oppression (corporations exploiting the poor abroad) to provide cheap products back home and imperialism, which plundered savagely the colonies for so many centuries.
I just want to say that it's hard to find interest about these remote problems today when living here in socialist Western Europe, where life is so cozy for the medium class, which now includes the workers Trotsky was crying about in Soviet Russia, elevated today to the ranks of the new bourgeoisie. But then, so what?
April 18, 2022
I don't give this 3 stars out of spite, but merely because I don't think I know enough about Trotsky to get the full picture. Nonetheless! This was an interesting read namely because of Trotsky's talented rhetoric and the snapshots of historical significance he gives. It gave me the opportunity to refresh my memory of the Russian Revolution. I didn't choose to read this because of any relevant current events but simply because it had been sitting on my shelf for a while along with several of the others in this Penguin's Great Ideas series. However, I can say there does seem to be some relevance vis-a-vis the alleged "awakening" of the proletariat of Russia (to say nothing of the global proletariat ha!). Don't worry friends, I won't be making any grandiose Marxist arguments, Trostkyist or not. Yet the rhetoric of Trotsky's speeches is very straightforward and clearly against the capitalist ruling class of the world. It is an interesting historical moment. Sometimes, in the fervor of my delusional imagination, I ruminate on the loss of some insight a class-focused analysis given to us by a theory like Marxism might offer us-in practical terms-if it hadn't been filtered through the historical reality of Russia (Trotsky-Lenin-Stalin [and let us not mention China]). But, again, I am no scholar of political ideologies.
What this book does is give you an idea of how Trotsky expressed his ideas in speeches and how he sought to use the theory of Marxism (his interpretation thereof) to reach sympathetic people and put such ideas into practice as he sought fit.
What this book does is give you an idea of how Trotsky expressed his ideas in speeches and how he sought to use the theory of Marxism (his interpretation thereof) to reach sympathetic people and put such ideas into practice as he sought fit.
January 11, 2020
An interesting historical and social piece. Constantly reminded me of Snowball's speeches in Animal Farm.
August 9, 2024
‘Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and violence and enjoy it to the full’
October 21, 2024
Strengthen shareholder value
Strengthen shareholder
Strengthen
Strength
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Seize
Seize the
Seize the means
Seize the means of production!
Strengthen shareholder
Strengthen
Strength
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Seize the
Seize the means
Seize the means of production!
May 6, 2014
Trotsky's got a lot to say in this short little tome. Spanning most of his time at the top, it's pretty clear he was an engaging speaker, and had at the beginning of the revolution a more democratic vision of the Soviet state than what later transpired.
However, the climactic document presented here, "I Stake My Life!", written during the Moscow Show trials in 1937, shows his clear limitations as a political commentator. Having spent his life building the USSR, Trotsky is unable to defend himself from the accusations against the Old Bolsheviks except through refuting the sham evidence that is presented in these trials. He remains a part of the system and works against it from within, a puzzling strategy during very public unraveling of all credibility of the USSR as a true communist state. I think moreover, comparing Trotsky's account to that of Koestler's brilliant "Darkness At Noon", Trotsky's defense does not move me as much as Koestler's literary account, which essentially acknowledges the entire process as morally bankrupt, and tries to move beyond the trials and into the human costs of the entire shamefaced production.
I suppose though, having lived and died an unabashed Marxist, it would be beyond Trotsky to admit the deficiencies of his political ideology in general, and far easier for his own conscience to blame everything on Stalin's gangsterization of the Soviet state. This is more comforting, as it absolves Trotsky of his own culpability in the descent to state-sponsored killing, having himself ordered the Red Terror after the failed assassination attempt on Lenin and the violent suppression of the Kronstadt Rebellion. For all his pleadings of innocence, Trotsky sure did have plenty of blood on his own hands.
However, the climactic document presented here, "I Stake My Life!", written during the Moscow Show trials in 1937, shows his clear limitations as a political commentator. Having spent his life building the USSR, Trotsky is unable to defend himself from the accusations against the Old Bolsheviks except through refuting the sham evidence that is presented in these trials. He remains a part of the system and works against it from within, a puzzling strategy during very public unraveling of all credibility of the USSR as a true communist state. I think moreover, comparing Trotsky's account to that of Koestler's brilliant "Darkness At Noon", Trotsky's defense does not move me as much as Koestler's literary account, which essentially acknowledges the entire process as morally bankrupt, and tries to move beyond the trials and into the human costs of the entire shamefaced production.
I suppose though, having lived and died an unabashed Marxist, it would be beyond Trotsky to admit the deficiencies of his political ideology in general, and far easier for his own conscience to blame everything on Stalin's gangsterization of the Soviet state. This is more comforting, as it absolves Trotsky of his own culpability in the descent to state-sponsored killing, having himself ordered the Red Terror after the failed assassination attempt on Lenin and the violent suppression of the Kronstadt Rebellion. For all his pleadings of innocence, Trotsky sure did have plenty of blood on his own hands.
November 3, 2013
At times prophetic, this little book charts the life of the author from the appeal of the title speech up to deathbed swansong. Even if the ideas at times seem muddled together, one gets the sense of a great thinker who gave everything only to watch the communist dream hijacked by the Stalinist nightmare betrayal.
A bittersweet book, especially thought provoking today given the volatile financial climate and political extremism rising across the globe.
A bittersweet book, especially thought provoking today given the volatile financial climate and political extremism rising across the globe.
April 14, 2011
Wonderful: a nice collection of Trotsky's speeches, in chronological order, which illustrate his evolving ideas and ticking down to the end of his life in Mexico.
July 3, 2017
Guess I'm still not a Trot ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
August 9, 2020
No sé qué esperaba, la verdad.
July 11, 2017
A collection of Trotsky's speeches delivered during and after the Russian revolution. Trotsky was one of the leaders of the Marxist Revolution, one of its leading advocates and occupied a leading position in the Soviet Union until he split with Stalin over his authoritarian vision of the State. He went into exile, staying one step ahead of Stalin's hitmen until he was finally assassinated in Mexico in 1940. This anthology offers an exciting eyewitness view of the events that took place during the revolution and the aftermath. You understand the excitement and fear of being caught up in a world historical cataclysm in which anything could happen next and you are witness to a new world order coming into being. He is a superb orator and an excellent communicator, discussing complex political, material and diplomatic issues in a manner that is intelligent and analytical but in such a way that anyone should be able to understand, including the soldiers and labourers who formed the vanguard of the revolution. As you read this book you can't help but wonder what if Trotsky had managed to take power and implement his vision for the Soviet Union instead of Stalin? I'm certainly interested in finding out more about Trotsky.
January 1, 2025
Happy New Year! Starting things off strong with a compilation of Trotsky speeches and writings that has been sitting on my shelf for probably 3/4 years... it was okay? Some nice lines, but I'm sure they were more powerful spoken and/or situated in context (of course, there's a little contextualisation, and I had some awareness of historical context going in, but that doesn't account for the resonance of remarks that are direct interventions on an ongoing situation). Probably more interesting as a set of historical documents than a political framework, as most things here are clearly more intended to rile up, defend, or sell a position (positions) to a wider audience as opposed to outlining policy intricacies or ideological nuance. I liked that in the writings just before his death, the key assertion was still the depth of his communist belief (and his atheism...). And this beautiful segment, relayed also, I think, in some other reviews: "I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall, and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and violence and enjoy it to the full." 2025 manifest...
September 24, 2022
I went back and forth on the rating, but I went with 4 stars because this small collection of work over Trotsky's life shows that he could speak and communicate well. I understand most of it is translated, but the "garbage in, garbage out" adage applies. (Or in this case, not garbage in.)
The ideas for the founding of the Soviet Union are interesting to hear from a founding father across his life. It is also interesting for an insider's perspective on the rule of Stalinism. Although Trotsky was very clearly an outsider as far as Stalin was concerned. But all of that comes later in this collection.
The ideas are interesting. And with hindsight I would say the biggest mistake was the idolization of Lenin, especially present in the speech post assassination attempt. This seems contradictory to the equality principle of the idea.
This was a little different to get into because it is so well written. It is a little more complicated than my recent reading.
The ideas for the founding of the Soviet Union are interesting to hear from a founding father across his life. It is also interesting for an insider's perspective on the rule of Stalinism. Although Trotsky was very clearly an outsider as far as Stalin was concerned. But all of that comes later in this collection.
The ideas are interesting. And with hindsight I would say the biggest mistake was the idolization of Lenin, especially present in the speech post assassination attempt. This seems contradictory to the equality principle of the idea.
This was a little different to get into because it is so well written. It is a little more complicated than my recent reading.
Read
February 5, 2025Collection of essays/speeches from around the time of the October Revolution. Only of interest for historical reasons imho. An incredibly ill informed criticism of communist anarchism was something of a highlight if only for being such a low point. The assertion that only the Bolsheviks represent the will of the people being evidenced by the success of the October revolution is another fairly silly claim. Some parts of “I stake my life!” were interesting because of how Trotsky describes Stalin’s USSR as having become an aristocracy, which is arguably what he was saying would *not* happen earlier.
Idk. Not really a whole lot else to say about this. Not really sure why it’s included in Penguin’s line of Great Ideas books to be honest.
Idk. Not really a whole lot else to say about this. Not really sure why it’s included in Penguin’s line of Great Ideas books to be honest.
January 9, 2025
Cool and short collection of Leon Trotsky’s speeches through the years. Makes for good reading especially if the Russian Revolution is of interest.
It’s been awhile since I’ve studied the Russian revolution so the book for me could have benefited from a timeline, perhaps some endnotes quickly explaining who some figures or other aspects of the movement are, etc. The book largely has Trotsky’s words speak for itself.
It’s been awhile since I’ve studied the Russian revolution so the book for me could have benefited from a timeline, perhaps some endnotes quickly explaining who some figures or other aspects of the movement are, etc. The book largely has Trotsky’s words speak for itself.
March 16, 2025
En general es propaganda vieja y sin más, poca cosa que decir, pero el final del testamento uff...
"Puedo ver la franja de hierba verde brillante que hay al pie de la tapia, y el cielo azul y despejado por encima de ma tapia, y la luz del sol por todas partes. La vida es hermosa. Que las futuras generaciones la limpien de todo mal, de toda opresión y violencia, y que disfruten plenamente de ella." p.150
"Puedo ver la franja de hierba verde brillante que hay al pie de la tapia, y el cielo azul y despejado por encima de ma tapia, y la luz del sol por todas partes. La vida es hermosa. Que las futuras generaciones la limpien de todo mal, de toda opresión y violencia, y que disfruten plenamente de ella." p.150
gone-gave-away
March 18, 2024Does anybody else feel like Trotsky was a lackey for the Man?
I heard he lived really well over here in NYC, with no visible means of support.
Same in Mexico. Even wrote their Constitution of 1910.
Donating.
I heard he lived really well over here in NYC, with no visible means of support.
Same in Mexico. Even wrote their Constitution of 1910.
Donating.
July 29, 2017
A good selection of Trotsky speeches that allows a glimpse on how the public engagements of one of the most important figures of the ussr panned out his own destiny
August 25, 2022
An illuminating read. Again for the diss.
October 20, 2024
"An impressive compilation of speeches and statements by Trotsky from both the pre- and post-October periods."
Read
May 2, 20259ç
October 8, 2016
Great Book depicting the evils of Capitalism and Stalinism as well as the optimism of Leon Trotsky and the benefits for mankind of real Marxist Communism.
June 12, 2013
An Appeal to the Toiling, Oppressed & Exhausted Peoples of Europe by Leon Trotsky is part of Penguin Book's Great Ideas series. I wonder what criteria the editors of the series used to select the nineteen excerpts from speeches, manifestos, essays and books that are included in this thin volume (9 from the revolution, 8 from while in power and 2 from exile). Trotsky was an astonishingly prolific writer. (One bibliography I consulted contained an astounding 1799 pages of materials by and about him.) Regardless of the potential debate over which pieces were chosen and why, I think the editors did a good job of capturing the essence of Trotsky's ideas and political philosophy. It was interesting reading from a stylistic point of view. At times the rhetoric seemed over-blown and melodramatic, perhaps even a bit bombastic. Nevertheless, Trotsky's genius, his meticulously detailed research and his passion are clearly demonstrated by the pieces that were selected. Soviet communism failed primarily due to Stalin's over-zealous fear of counter revolution which led to a monomaniacal and totalitarian regime far worse than the Tzarist system that it replaced. Despite the utter ruin of the revolutionary experiment, Trotsky's ideas and ideals live on. Remaining are the concepts of the value of human dignity, the respect for whe working class, the importance of democracy, justice and liberty and the primacy of people over profits. The dialectic progress of history has not unfolded the way Marxists predicted, but that doesn't mean the values and ideals of revolutionary theory are dead or invalid. The struggle continues.
April 19, 2013
Great book to learn about the speeches of Trotsky. A short read.
The speeches and letters discuss various themes:
## Sovereignty
Each nation is sovereign and its right to rule within its own borders is inviolable.
## Internationalism
The relationship between the proletarians of Europe is stronger than class relationships within countries. The proletarian revolution should be encouraged everywhere.
## Class Struggle
When reading of history, class warfare is the dominant force.
## Peace
WWI serves only the interests of the rulers and bourgeois. The proletarians of all countries should lay down arms and secure peace and bread to their populations.
## Anti-Tsar
The tsar is an illegitimate ruler.
## Anti-Bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie is rent-seeking on the backs of the proletarians. They do not deserve their comfort. They embody mediocrity.
## Republic
The state should be a republic with universal suffrage.
## Auto-determination
Nations should be formed through the principle of auto-determination, including within the Russian Empire.
> Cada uno de los pueblos, mediante elecciones populares, debe decir por si mismo la ultima palabra: ¿desean entrar a formar parte de una confederacion con su actual EStado soberano, gozando de plena autonomia en su seno, o desean separarse de el y tener independencia plena?
The speeches and letters discuss various themes:
## Sovereignty
Each nation is sovereign and its right to rule within its own borders is inviolable.
## Internationalism
The relationship between the proletarians of Europe is stronger than class relationships within countries. The proletarian revolution should be encouraged everywhere.
## Class Struggle
When reading of history, class warfare is the dominant force.
## Peace
WWI serves only the interests of the rulers and bourgeois. The proletarians of all countries should lay down arms and secure peace and bread to their populations.
## Anti-Tsar
The tsar is an illegitimate ruler.
## Anti-Bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie is rent-seeking on the backs of the proletarians. They do not deserve their comfort. They embody mediocrity.
## Republic
The state should be a republic with universal suffrage.
## Auto-determination
Nations should be formed through the principle of auto-determination, including within the Russian Empire.
> Cada uno de los pueblos, mediante elecciones populares, debe decir por si mismo la ultima palabra: ¿desean entrar a formar parte de una confederacion con su actual EStado soberano, gozando de plena autonomia en su seno, o desean separarse de el y tener independencia plena?
November 16, 2017
Mostly taken from Leon Trotsky Speaks, these essays convinced me that a biography of Trotsky needs to be on my to-be-read shelf.
Zimmerwald Manifesto Against the War
On the Eve of a Revolution
Two Faces – Internal Forces of the Russian Revolution
The Growing Conflict
War or Peace?
All Power to the Soviets
In Answer to a Rumour
Three Resolutions
Brother Cossacks!
The Overthrow of the Provisional Government
Walkout of the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries
On the Arrest of Socialist Ministers
The Organization of Power
For Peace – Against Secret Diplomacy!
Appeal to the Toiling, Oppressed, and Exhausted Peoples of Europe
A Word to the Russian Workers and Peasants on Our Friends and Enemies, and How to Preserve and Strengthen the Soviet Republic
Lenin Wounded
I Stake My Life!
Testament - "Natasha has just come up to the window from the courtyard and opened it wider so that the air may enter more freely into my room. I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall, and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and violence and enjoy it to the full.Leon Trotsky. Mexico February 27th 1940"
Zimmerwald Manifesto Against the War
On the Eve of a Revolution
Two Faces – Internal Forces of the Russian Revolution
The Growing Conflict
War or Peace?
All Power to the Soviets
In Answer to a Rumour
Three Resolutions
Brother Cossacks!
The Overthrow of the Provisional Government
Walkout of the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries
On the Arrest of Socialist Ministers
The Organization of Power
For Peace – Against Secret Diplomacy!
Appeal to the Toiling, Oppressed, and Exhausted Peoples of Europe
A Word to the Russian Workers and Peasants on Our Friends and Enemies, and How to Preserve and Strengthen the Soviet Republic
Lenin Wounded
I Stake My Life!
Testament - "Natasha has just come up to the window from the courtyard and opened it wider so that the air may enter more freely into my room. I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall, and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and violence and enjoy it to the full.Leon Trotsky. Mexico February 27th 1940"
January 9, 2024
Culled apparently from the more voluminous 1972 English-language compilation Leon Trotsky Speaks, this rather arbitrary selection of speeches prioritizes Trotsky's rhetorics, as opposed to his actual arguments, at the risk of suggesting that his thinking in general is of a somewhat shallow nature. Nevertheless, the Zimmerwald Manifesto Against the War (pp. 1-6) formulates a compelling theoretical answer to the question of who benefits from armed conflict, while the first part of A Word [. . .] on Our Friends and Enemies [. . .] (pp. 57-94) supports that theory with examples from First World War practice. The brevity of this volume also inadvertently highlights the shift in Trotsky's tone between 1917, when he railed against the Mensheviks and the Social Revolutionaries in the name of "cleansing" the cause "of counter-revolutionary ingredients" (p. 38), and his stepping up to defend Zinoviev, Kamenev, Pyatakov, Radek, and himself against the Stalinist show-trial cleansing of 1937 in I Stake My Life (pp. 103-128).
August 19, 2012
What a fantastic collection of Trotsky's speeches and letters - concise, certainly, and not exactly comprehensive but a truly representative sample of his thought nonetheless. Primarily concerning itself with the revolutionary period and his speeches in favour of the establishment of the Soviet State, there are a further three texts from later periods: one speech [delivered by proxy] from 1937 decrying the Stalinist purges and two diary entries, of sorts, from Mexico in early 1940 before his assassination.
September 29, 2016
This collection of Trotsky's speeches and articles made for interesting reading (and topical too as Corbyn wins the Labour leadership again). Trotsky is a compelling rhetorician but without his later exile I can see him going on to be a pretty irredeemable totalitarian himself; the early speeches are full of reasons to ban and/or murder political rivals...
As a historical document it was fascinating and its always interesting to see what the more practical realities are for individuals trying to live by broad idealist ideologies.
As a historical document it was fascinating and its always interesting to see what the more practical realities are for individuals trying to live by broad idealist ideologies.
August 3, 2011
Even if you disagree with a person's politics, there are some that are just born for the role; and Trotsky certainly fits that description. He maintained his belief in Marxism right to the end of his life, and this collection of his speeches and articles demonstrates that the fire in his belly burned to the end too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews