Scan barcode
mothmans_mum's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding work, charting the history both of Lenin's political evolution to become a Marxist, and the formation and growth of the Bolshevik party into a mass, working class, revolutionary party on the eve of the first world war. By examining the events occurring, decisions made, and debates had over 100 years ago, ad the contexts of these, there are many lessons to be learnt by activists today wanting to change the world for the better.
butchriarchy's review against another edition
3.0
I learned a lot from this book and definitely intend on reading the next two volumes. It gave me a lot of insight to the Bolsheviks and Lenin specifically.
My only problem was that the author is clearly a big fan of Lenin. It's better than the alternative but the bias is still off-putting. The author doesn't refer to cult of personality associated with Lenin but it's obvious here.
I do have a lot more interest in Lenin after reading this but I just think it's weird to constantly refer to him as though he could do no wrong, especially when within the text he also dismisses the notion that Lenin was totalitarian when in reality he didn't see himself as perfect. I did appreciate that he quoted Lenin a lot so I could shape what kind of person he was by myself.
I'm still confused about some events surrounding the construction of the Bolshevik party because he also kind of skipped around a lot. I think part of it is my fault--I need to clarify some terminology for myself, or try to understand certain theoretical aspects of Marxism that I'm still not sure I have a grasp of.
My only problem was that the author is clearly a big fan of Lenin. It's better than the alternative but the bias is still off-putting. The author doesn't refer to cult of personality associated with Lenin but it's obvious here.
I do have a lot more interest in Lenin after reading this but I just think it's weird to constantly refer to him as though he could do no wrong, especially when within the text he also dismisses the notion that Lenin was totalitarian when in reality he didn't see himself as perfect. I did appreciate that he quoted Lenin a lot so I could shape what kind of person he was by myself.
I'm still confused about some events surrounding the construction of the Bolshevik party because he also kind of skipped around a lot. I think part of it is my fault--I need to clarify some terminology for myself, or try to understand certain theoretical aspects of Marxism that I'm still not sure I have a grasp of.
More...