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The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin
Listening Length: 5 hours and 31 minutes
How did communism become such a pervasive economic and political philosophy? Why did it first take root in early 20th-century Russia? These and other questions are part of a fascinating story whose drama has few equals in terms of sheer scale, scope, or human suffering and belief.
These 12 lectures invite you to go inside communism's journey from a collection of political and economic theories to a revolutionary movement that rocked the world. Rich with historical insights, they zero in on the "how" and "why" of the Bolsheviks' rise to power and how communist ideas worked in theory and practice - and how they didn't.
First, you'll examine the utopian movements that influenced Marx and Engels, and how these leaders came to develop their revolutionary philosophies. From there, you'll discover how Lenin became the first person to put Marxist ideas into action by violently seizing power in Russia during the chaos of the First World War. Throughout, you'll meet thinkers and revolutionaries like Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky, unpack the meaning of texts like Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto, and experience the shock and awe of events including the Paris Commune and the October Revolution.
An uncompromising look at one of the dominant political ideologies of the 20th century, this is a fascinating, and sobering, study of how theories rise to power in a bid to create a new civilization - whatever the human cost.
How did communism become such a pervasive economic and political philosophy? Why did it first take root in early 20th-century Russia? These and other questions are part of a fascinating story whose drama has few equals in terms of sheer scale, scope, or human suffering and belief.
These 12 lectures invite you to go inside communism's journey from a collection of political and economic theories to a revolutionary movement that rocked the world. Rich with historical insights, they zero in on the "how" and "why" of the Bolsheviks' rise to power and how communist ideas worked in theory and practice - and how they didn't.
First, you'll examine the utopian movements that influenced Marx and Engels, and how these leaders came to develop their revolutionary philosophies. From there, you'll discover how Lenin became the first person to put Marxist ideas into action by violently seizing power in Russia during the chaos of the First World War. Throughout, you'll meet thinkers and revolutionaries like Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky, unpack the meaning of texts like Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto, and experience the shock and awe of events including the Paris Commune and the October Revolution.
An uncompromising look at one of the dominant political ideologies of the 20th century, this is a fascinating, and sobering, study of how theories rise to power in a bid to create a new civilization - whatever the human cost.
220 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 8, 2019
15 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
23 books86 followersDistinguished Professor in the Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences
Biography
Professor Liulevicius specializes in modern German history, with a particular focus on German relations with Eastern Europe. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Peace, and Revolution from 1994-95. He has taught at the University of Tennessee since 1995. From 2008 to 2021, he served as the director of the Center for the Study of War and Society.
Biography
Professor Liulevicius specializes in modern German history, with a particular focus on German relations with Eastern Europe. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Peace, and Revolution from 1994-95. He has taught at the University of Tennessee since 1995. From 2008 to 2021, he served as the director of the Center for the Study of War and Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 1, 2020
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
This was a good review of this history (I had a very good course in college on this). As I listened to it however I was reminded how supposedly atheistic communism is clearly itself a religion. One example is the veneration of the mummified Lenin. Liulevicius writes: In 1930, a permanent red granite mausoleum was built, which also served as a viewing stand for leaders as parades passed by. Lenin’s body, in a glass coffin, was re‐embalmed every other year.
In the following decades, a team of up to 200 tended Lenin’s body. It was officially claimed that between 1924 and 1940, more than 16 million people had viewed him. And he remains there today.
Lenin’s death energized a personality cult that had already been forming around him. Petrograd was renamed Leningrad. Homes and apartments were to have Lenin corners, with a picture of him where icons of saints and Christ had once been venerated. Increasingly, this personality cult had a high priest, and that was Stalin, who used the memory of Lenin to expand his own power.
This was a good review of this history (I had a very good course in college on this). As I listened to it however I was reminded how supposedly atheistic communism is clearly itself a religion. One example is the veneration of the mummified Lenin. Liulevicius writes: In 1930, a permanent red granite mausoleum was built, which also served as a viewing stand for leaders as parades passed by. Lenin’s body, in a glass coffin, was re‐embalmed every other year.
In the following decades, a team of up to 200 tended Lenin’s body. It was officially claimed that between 1924 and 1940, more than 16 million people had viewed him. And he remains there today.
Lenin’s death energized a personality cult that had already been forming around him. Petrograd was renamed Leningrad. Homes and apartments were to have Lenin corners, with a picture of him where icons of saints and Christ had once been venerated. Increasingly, this personality cult had a high priest, and that was Stalin, who used the memory of Lenin to expand his own power.
November 4, 2021
Scholars agree, 'twas a hot mess. Can understand the almost religious romanticism the image and idea of the revolutionary produces though. Might have been a historically necessary movement, now better left as history.
December 16, 2019
A fairly well-told recitation of the history of Marx/Engles and how communism landed in Russia instead of Germany, where many of it's beginnings were born.
There was a lot of good information here, and it was told in a straightforward way with a cogent thread to follow.
My only complaints were first, that the promo blurbs and cover purported to explain WHY the adherents of communism are/were attracted to this philosophy. This book was more of a play-by-play of the history. Second, the feel was more academic and this felt like a history that could have jumped right off the page with a more interesting telling.
There was a lot of good information here, and it was told in a straightforward way with a cogent thread to follow.
My only complaints were first, that the promo blurbs and cover purported to explain WHY the adherents of communism are/were attracted to this philosophy. This book was more of a play-by-play of the history. Second, the feel was more academic and this felt like a history that could have jumped right off the page with a more interesting telling.
February 29, 2020
As a Political Science and International Studies major during the Cold War I had read and studied Communism quite a bit. But my college never offered a specific course in the subject area. This audio book from The Great Courses lecture series was an excellent primer—introducing the philosophy and key players-including many such as Rosa Luxembourg that I had only peripherally studied. I highly recommend this to anyone wishing for an intermediate level introduction to Communism’s origins and early implementation.
October 10, 2020
Was a really nice and balanced introduction. Most intros on communism or capitalism feel a bit one-sided or motivated but Liulevicius stroke a good balance in my view (from limited knowledge, to be fair).
March 10, 2022
Interessante. As duas últimas partes ficaram um pouco confusas.
December 31, 2019
The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin by Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius is good, but incomplete - by design. When I picked this up, I was wondering why it ended with Lenin when that's only the first part of Marxism's development. Well, the listener is informed that this was an intentional choice and there are two more volumes to purchase at some point in the future. Given that this is just about five and a half hours long, and that I am used to some great courses that reach 24 hours - and a handful that reach 48 - this seemed rather silly to me, and appears to represent a change in marketing structure by the Teaching Company. There is a great deal of emphasis given to the biography of Marx and Lenin, with a foray into Rosa Luxembourg, alongside how the ideas made manifest by these individuals evolve, alongside a political history. But its all surface, and its rather frustrating because there's no opportunity to get drowned in depth here. This time period could easily be covered in a 24 hour course, but instead we get the drive by version. Why? Because its part of a bigger series. One you will need to purchase separately.
Its a disappointment in that regard. The information is good, but you're left in a state of dissatisfaction. There's not enough here to be contented, and it is rushed to the point where you are left wondering what the point of that was. I'd rather they had doubled down on the separate course approach and gave us a course devoted to Marx, and then another devoted to Lenin. At least then, it can be hoped, there would be substantive meat to chew on. Instead this is a course for people with a curiosity, but one easily satisfied - with the exception of the hook to purchase the sequel in the fullness of time.
I, however, want more.
80/100
Its a disappointment in that regard. The information is good, but you're left in a state of dissatisfaction. There's not enough here to be contented, and it is rushed to the point where you are left wondering what the point of that was. I'd rather they had doubled down on the separate course approach and gave us a course devoted to Marx, and then another devoted to Lenin. At least then, it can be hoped, there would be substantive meat to chew on. Instead this is a course for people with a curiosity, but one easily satisfied - with the exception of the hook to purchase the sequel in the fullness of time.
I, however, want more.
80/100
January 18, 2020
AT A GLANCE:
A valuable summary of a changing idea.
CONTENT:
This is a brief history on the beginnings of Communism as an ideology and its early implementation, beginning with pre-Marxist social theories and ending with the founding of the USSR. The course is structured chronologically and easy to follow; however, there is a good deal of repetition and overlap between lectures that should have been revised before release. I went into this knowing only the broadstrokes and feel that the content is highly useful for undergraduate-level purposes.
It must be said that the structure takes a nosedive in the last few lectures. After Lenin we are given a full-length lecture on Rosa Luxemburg; it seems like a time-filler and is loaded with a level of detail elsewhere given only to Marx. I accept that this series couldn't delve too deeply into the USSR as it will probably be its own follow-up course, but this does not excuse the lackluster ending. We finally receive a treatment of Radek, Serge, Zinoview, Bogdanov, Ho Chi Minh and Stalin only in the last two lectures! This feels extremely rushed, and the course should have been either longer or actually stopped at Lenin.
NARRATOR:
Prof. Liulevicius is a well-spoken and clear lecturer, if not particularly striking in his style. I would purchase another of his courses.
OVERALL:
Highly recommended for those unfamiliar with the basics of Communism and its historical beginnings. The accompanying PDF is highly useful and differs enough from the lectures to recommend reading it concurrently.
A valuable summary of a changing idea.
CONTENT:
This is a brief history on the beginnings of Communism as an ideology and its early implementation, beginning with pre-Marxist social theories and ending with the founding of the USSR. The course is structured chronologically and easy to follow; however, there is a good deal of repetition and overlap between lectures that should have been revised before release. I went into this knowing only the broadstrokes and feel that the content is highly useful for undergraduate-level purposes.
It must be said that the structure takes a nosedive in the last few lectures. After Lenin we are given a full-length lecture on Rosa Luxemburg; it seems like a time-filler and is loaded with a level of detail elsewhere given only to Marx. I accept that this series couldn't delve too deeply into the USSR as it will probably be its own follow-up course, but this does not excuse the lackluster ending. We finally receive a treatment of Radek, Serge, Zinoview, Bogdanov, Ho Chi Minh and Stalin only in the last two lectures! This feels extremely rushed, and the course should have been either longer or actually stopped at Lenin.
NARRATOR:
Prof. Liulevicius is a well-spoken and clear lecturer, if not particularly striking in his style. I would purchase another of his courses.
OVERALL:
Highly recommended for those unfamiliar with the basics of Communism and its historical beginnings. The accompanying PDF is highly useful and differs enough from the lectures to recommend reading it concurrently.
June 20, 2020
I only wish this course was longer, but anyway, it wa ms great.
I wish I knew more about Cuba/Laos/Vietnam, and how the planned economy worked.
Anyway, I found out about Marx's view (inspired from Hegel) of "the law of history". He wasn't unfortunately aware of the fact that the future is hard to predict when it comes to humans. He wasn't aware that capitalist systems can change, and they can just incorporate some communist ideas, which will make communism less feasible.
Also Marx wasn't a sociologist, and so neglected details about how hard it can be to change human nature (going from selfish, and ending up altruistic).
Found out about the Paris Commune, which people took as a sign of the final battle between capitalists and the proletariat.
Found out about Lenin and the train he took from Germany all the way to Russia. Lenin then just "took over" the reigns of Russia, probably easier than anticipated, because the people in Russia were pretty fed up with the tsar and the new government.
Then found out how Lenin, unfortunately started the killings. This might be the reason why communism ended being a sad part of history.
Great course!
I wish I knew more about Cuba/Laos/Vietnam, and how the planned economy worked.
Anyway, I found out about Marx's view (inspired from Hegel) of "the law of history". He wasn't unfortunately aware of the fact that the future is hard to predict when it comes to humans. He wasn't aware that capitalist systems can change, and they can just incorporate some communist ideas, which will make communism less feasible.
Also Marx wasn't a sociologist, and so neglected details about how hard it can be to change human nature (going from selfish, and ending up altruistic).
Found out about the Paris Commune, which people took as a sign of the final battle between capitalists and the proletariat.
Found out about Lenin and the train he took from Germany all the way to Russia. Lenin then just "took over" the reigns of Russia, probably easier than anticipated, because the people in Russia were pretty fed up with the tsar and the new government.
Then found out how Lenin, unfortunately started the killings. This might be the reason why communism ended being a sad part of history.
Great course!
February 15, 2024
“In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to hold high and keep pure the great title of member of the party. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin, that we shall honorably fulfill this thy commandment ... In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to guard the unity of our Party like the apple of our eye. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin, that we shall fulfill this, thy commandment too ... In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to guard and strengthen the dictatorship of the proletariat. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin, that without sparing our strength we shall honorably fulfill this, thy commandment too.”—Stalin
1. The Locomotive of History
2. Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership
3. The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital
4. The 1871 Paris Commune as a Model of Revolt
5. Marxism after Marx
6. Revolutionary Russias
7. The Making of Lenin
8. World War I as a Revolutionary Opportunity
9. Red October: How the Bolsheviks Seized Power
10. Rosa Luxemburg: A Revolutionary Martyr
11. The Red Bridge to World Revolution
12. Toward a New Communist Civilization
1. The Locomotive of History
2. Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership
3. The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital
4. The 1871 Paris Commune as a Model of Revolt
5. Marxism after Marx
6. Revolutionary Russias
7. The Making of Lenin
8. World War I as a Revolutionary Opportunity
9. Red October: How the Bolsheviks Seized Power
10. Rosa Luxemburg: A Revolutionary Martyr
11. The Red Bridge to World Revolution
12. Toward a New Communist Civilization
April 12, 2021
I thought this was a really good summary and introduction type course and series of lectures. The professor was a good narrator and had a good voice for listening at 1.4 times normal speed (which is a must for me in anything audio).
I also appreciated how he spent a lot of time talking about some of the important historical figures in communism other than the big four (Mao, Stalin, Lenin, and Marx). He actually talked in more detail than most about Trotsky, Rosa Luxemburg and others which are often reduced to footnotes so people can focus more on those big four.
Very worth your time and something you should read if you want to learn more about communism in general.
I also appreciated how he spent a lot of time talking about some of the important historical figures in communism other than the big four (Mao, Stalin, Lenin, and Marx). He actually talked in more detail than most about Trotsky, Rosa Luxemburg and others which are often reduced to footnotes so people can focus more on those big four.
Very worth your time and something you should read if you want to learn more about communism in general.
February 9, 2024
Succinct, informative and enticing.
Books on political ideology can become onerous for the casual reader however, this series of lectures does a brilliant job in providing an engaging story that maps out the rise of Communism. The author gives an account for the basic principles and key events that led to the soviet socialist movement. I think that where this book shines is in giving the reader a window into the everyday struggles of figures such as Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, Lenin and Trotsky, as well as others.
Overall, this is a solid read for anyone wanting to form a basic conceptualisation of Communism, Marxism and the early Soviet Union.
Books on political ideology can become onerous for the casual reader however, this series of lectures does a brilliant job in providing an engaging story that maps out the rise of Communism. The author gives an account for the basic principles and key events that led to the soviet socialist movement. I think that where this book shines is in giving the reader a window into the everyday struggles of figures such as Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, Lenin and Trotsky, as well as others.
Overall, this is a solid read for anyone wanting to form a basic conceptualisation of Communism, Marxism and the early Soviet Union.
November 21, 2023
Informative and, at less than six hours, an easy listen. Just not quite at the level I have experienced in other recent Great Courses listens. Laid all the info out there, just didn't quite set the hook.
Does a great job of placing the rise of communism within the context of a global arc involving the French revolution, World War I, and some well timed socialists movements in Europe. Also clearly pointed out some obvious shortcomings and hypocrisies in the way it all went down...enlightening.
Does a great job of placing the rise of communism within the context of a global arc involving the French revolution, World War I, and some well timed socialists movements in Europe. Also clearly pointed out some obvious shortcomings and hypocrisies in the way it all went down...enlightening.
September 24, 2024
The book covers the rise of the Communism and up to Lenin's death
Marx was a German who though Communism would first happen in Germany, but how did it actually start in Russia?
What was Marx's partnership with Engels, who completed Das Kapital after Marx passed away
Why "Communism" how is it different from Socialism?
The book covers Lenin taking power, how he ruled and ends with his death and Stalin coming to power
Marx was a German who though Communism would first happen in Germany, but how did it actually start in Russia?
What was Marx's partnership with Engels, who completed Das Kapital after Marx passed away
Why "Communism" how is it different from Socialism?
The book covers Lenin taking power, how he ruled and ends with his death and Stalin coming to power
August 7, 2020
This is an informative series of 12 lectures about the rise of communism n the late 19th - early 20th century. I learned much I did not know. However, because this was a detailed and intermediate level course I often wished the professor slowed down a little so I could "process" more of what I was learning. I am certain, though, that a second viewing will solve that problem of mine.
July 5, 2023
'The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin" is a highly interesting and fact-filled series of lectures from 'The Great Courses" series. Professor Liulevicius not only informs but entertains with events and personal information. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in learning more about the beginnings of the Soviet Union and the evolution of Marxist theory into practice.
January 19, 2024
Very detailed class on the reasons for the rise to the communist philosophy from Marx to Lenin. Very detailed about very important behind the rise characters that I knew little about. We will the time to study a movement that not only changes history but also gave rise to its counter reaction...fascism
September 6, 2024
The book provided me with valuable new knowledge about key figures like Marx, Lenin, and Rosa Luxemburg, shedding light on the roots of communism and socialism, and how they differ in their presentation. It was a great read—if you're interested in the topic, you'll gain insight into major civil wars and how the groundwork was laid for various revolutionaries to pursue their visions.
October 27, 2021
Every freedom-loving American should become familiar with all elements of these lectures that follow the development of Communism - from all its utopian promises right through to it traumatic and violent stages to burying its adherents in tyranny.
June 2, 2022
Liulevicius is quickly becoming one of my favourites among the Great Courses lecturers. Engaging and informative as ever, he provides a good and quite thorough overview over the origins of communist thinking and the rise of the political movement.
October 4, 2022
Good summary/introduction of early Communism, covering the highlights (well, lowlights) of Marx, the Paris Commune, sending Lenin to Russia, and early Bolshevik adventures. Slightly more than surface levels of detail but definitely want to to learn more about the individual topics elsewhere.
May 15, 2023
Good short course on the beginnings of Communism and why and how it started in Russia rather than any western country. It's only the first part of a series, so later history will be handled in the next parts.
October 28, 2025
Doesn't go particularly in depth and it certainly isn't unbiased, but the narration is very engaging, and overall the book provides a good overview of the topic for those who are delving into the history of communism for the first time.
January 2, 2020
It was ok. I’ve listened to a bunch from this guy. He tells the same stories as in other ones.
August 18, 2020
An engaging overview of the history of communism's rise.
October 4, 2020
It's OK though rather derivative. This bibliography is not as good as the Utopia one btw. Really 2.5 stars as the review is abbreviated.
August 26, 2021
The most boring of the Great Courses I've "attended." Full of details but little that I'll probably remember.
September 15, 2021
So I actually read Communism in Power: From Stalin to Mao, but I couldn't find it on here. But it was a very interesting read. It was the same professor though.
October 20, 2021
A good overview. Engaging and informative. The only reason I didn't give it 5 4 stars is that it's only 5 hrs - really just "part I" of what should have been a while course.
March 30, 2022
Easy listening! Though I'm a bit harsher on the commies than Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius is. That said, he knows what he's talking about for the most part. He'd be a great teacher in person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews