Trotsky: Towards October 1879-1917

This political biography traces Leon Trotsky's early life and revolutionary development from his birth in 1879 through the Russian Revolution of 1917. The narrative follows his evolution from a young radical student to his emergence as a key Marxist theorist and leader. The book examines Trotsky's experiences in exile, his journalistic work, and his shifting theoretical positions during the crucial pre-revolutionary period. His relationships with other revolutionary figures and his role in worker organizations receive focused attention throughout the text. The historical context of turn-of-the-century Russia provides the backdrop, with detailed accounts of the 1905 Revolution and the build-up to 1917. Prison sentences, escapes, and time spent in various European cities shaped both Trotsky's politics and his methods of organization. The book reveals the complex interplay between personal conviction and historical forces in the making of a revolutionary leader. This first volume in Cliff's Trotsky biography series establishes the foundations for understanding Trotsky's later roles and ideas.

Readers appreciate the thorough research and detail Cliff provides about Trotsky's early revolutionary development and political evolution. Several note the clear writing style makes complex theoretical debates accessible. Positive reviews highlight: - Documentation of Trotsky's relationships with both Bolsheviks and Mensheviks - Analysis of his changing views on party organization - Coverage of his journalism and exile years Common criticisms include: - Pro-Trotsky bias in depicting factional disputes - Overemphasis on theoretical disagreements vs historical events - Limited coverage of personal life and character Ratings: Goodreads: 4.12/5 (34 ratings) Amazon: No reviews available LibraryThing: 4/5 (5 ratings) "Clear presentation of the development of Trotsky's ideas" - Goodreads review "Too focused on internal party debates" - LibraryThing review "Strong first volume but shows author's political leanings" - Goodreads review

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🔴 Tony Cliff wrote this biography while living in exile in Ireland during World War II, where he had to change his name from Ygael Gluckstein for safety reasons. 🔴 The book explores how Trotsky evolved from a populist student activist to become one of the key architects of the Russian Revolution, tracing his ideological development across nearly four decades. 🔴 Author Tony Cliff was himself a Trotskyist who founded the Socialist Workers Party in Britain, and this biography was part of a comprehensive four-volume series on Trotsky's life. 🔴 During the period covered in the book (1879-1917), Trotsky escaped from Siberian exile twice and lived in multiple countries including Austria, France, Spain, and the United States. 🔴 The biography draws heavily from previously untranslated Russian sources and personal papers that became available after the opening of Soviet archives in the 1980s.