The Comintern: A History of International Communism from Lenin to Stalin

by Kevin McDermott

This accessible text provides a comprehensive narrative and interpretative account of the entire history of the Communist International, 1919-1943. By incorporating the most recent Western and Soviet research the authors explain the legendary complexities of Comintern history and chart its degeneration from a revolutionary internationalist organisation into an obedient instrument of Soviet foreign policy. Key themes continuities and discontinuities between the Leninist and Stalinist phases, Bolshevisation versus national traditions, and the role of leading individuals in the Comintern apparatus. A selection of documents will elucidate these central themes.

Genres: History, Politics, Russia

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Nathan Fisher]

Protestations to the contrary, this doesn't step very far at all outside orthodox anti-Communist theses. Nonetheless, I guess 'it could have been worse' is becoming enough for me in this day and age, somehow. Moderately useful.