The only Bolshevik leader to write his memoirs; Leon Trotsky published this remarkable book in 1930; the first year of a perilous; decade-long exile that ended with his assassination in Mexico. Expelled from the Communist party and deported from the Soviet Union; the former People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs recalled his lifelong struggle in the world of revolutionary politics. In addition to his firsthand accounts of the early intrigues within the Communist government; Trotsky also delivered chilling glimpses into the rise of the new Soviet bureaucracy and prescient warnings of the Stalinist regime's horrors.My Life recounts the rise of the revolutionary wave in Russia in 1905 and 1917; the devastating effects of World War I; and the degeneration of the Russian Revolution from Lenin's internationalist course to Stalin's increasingly counterrevolutionary policies. Trotsky's exile placed him beyond the pale of both the official Communist party and the rest of the political world; yet in this fascinating historical document; he remains true to a philosophy of permanent world revolution; offering a highly informed perspective on the struggle toward a socialist future.
#2435321 in Books 2002-02-19 2002-02-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.29 x 5.63 x 8.24l; 1.44 #File Name: 0486419533640 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Definitely Worth Your TimeBy Cathy TiffanyFirst let me say that I don't particularly enjoy reading fiction; I like interesting adventurous non-fiction ); but on the rare occasion that I find a book that I actually would like to learn more about; then I'm in. This book is well written and a first hand account of Stanley's adventures. It's fascinating to read his thoughts about far away peoples that I assume were foreign to most at the time. The manner in which they all speak and the pomp and circumstance of the interactions between Stanley; dignitaries; noblemen; tribesman and merchants is very interesting. It rather gives the feel of an Indiana Jones movie! I am shocked how interesting this book is so far and I'm only on Chapter 4! AND...I haven't even gotten to the parts that I'm interested in - the Congo jungle! If you like adventure tales; you should check this book out!!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. HistoricalBy Jim LarsenThis is Mr Stanleys accurate account of his travails in Africa; and it is never what you think. The bugs; the people; the muck; not the animals. Also an insight into the medical ignorance of the day. Learn the real value of cloth in Dotis. Yes folks; money in Africa was carried in bales....cloth. Dr Livingston really really could have used google earth and penicillin; but alas....14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. FirsthandBy bichonandonHenry Stanley was a muckraking journalist for the New York Herald; when he was given the assignment of his career: "Find Livingstone!" by telegram. Dr. Livingstone was a long lost English missionary-turned-explorer; whose obsession with finding the "beginning" of the Nile consumed his life in later years. Finding Dr Livingstone; in turn became Stanley's obsession.Stanley's writing spares nobody; not even himself. Incapable of hiding his characteristic arrogance; he freely describes everything he does and sees while trekking through Africa. Call him what you will; but in his dogged determination to effect his goal; he exhibits more courage and tenacity than most explorers of his time. He regularly doles out beatings for thievery and the like; while navigating his caravan through warring tribes; unforgiving weather; and deadly jungles. He takes joy in shooting the animals of Africa; and recounts his hunts with conceited pomp. Yet one cannot help but admire his ability to pilot all of the intense scenes in which one mistake on his part could mean death for himself and his whole team.This book; downloaded to my kindle phone app; had no pictures or maps. It is one of the few books I will happily read again; and I was sorry to see it end.
