The book "Lenin" presents Lenin (1870-1924), leader of the Bolshevik Communist Party and founder of the Soviet Union. He was a pivotal revolutionary thinker, who lived in exile for long periods due to his political views and was the target of many failed assassination attempts. The established view of Lenin depicts him as pessimistic, with a dismissive attitude towards the revolutionary potential of workers. In his work, Lars T. Lih offers an impressive new interpretation, revealing that beneath his sharp polemics, Lenin was more of a romantic enthusiast rather than a harsh realist, who gave meaning to the whirlwind of events unfolding around him: the Russian proletariat was inspired by the prospect of socialism and led the Russian people, especially the peasants, to revolutionary victory.
This concise biography of Lenin's life and worldview is based on extensive new research that places Lenin within the context of Russian society and the international socialist movement of the first half of the 20th century. At the same time, the work establishes the development of his political thought within the framework of his family tradition and private life.
Using contemporary photographs, posters, and drawings, Lih illustrates the emotional and physical characteristics of Lenin's world. A non-partisan and vivid portrait of a definitive figure of modern history, "Lenin" will attract both scholars and general readers.
Pages: 240, Dimensions: 13x13cm.
