After Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) is the man most associated with communism and its influence and reach around the world. Lenin was the leader of the communist Bolshevik party during the October 1917 revolution in Russia, and he subsequently headed the Soviet state until 1924, bringing stability to the region and establishing a socialist economic and political system.
In Lenin, Lars T. Lih presents a striking new interpretation of Lenin’s political beliefs and strategies. Until now, Lenin has been portrayed as a pessimist with a dismissive view of the revolutionary potential of the workers. However, Lih reveals that underneath the sharp polemics, Lenin was actually a romantic enthusiast rather than a sour pragmatist, one who imposed meaning on the whirlwind of events going on around him. This concise and unique biography is based on wide-ranging new research that puts Lenin into the context both of Russian society and of the international socialist movement of the early twentieth century. It also sets the development of Lenin’s political outlook firmly within the framework of his family background and private life. In addition, the book’s images, which are taken from contemporary photographs, posters, and drawings, illustrate the features of Lenin’s world and time.
A vivid, non-ideological portrait, Lenin is an essential look at one of the key figures of modern history.
Industry Reviews
'Lars T Lih's short biography is hardly "Why Lenin was right", although it is no less dramatic for that. Lih advances some seldom-heard historical and political arguments in an unassuming, informative way ... This excellent book advises us not to congratulate ourselves on our hindsight.' - Owen Hatherley, The Guardian 'The book is aimed at a general audience. It is well written, accessible, and probably the snappiest book on Lenin in the English language.' - The NEP Era: Soviet Russia 1921-1928 'Any book that rejects the received wisdom that Lenin was intolerant, cruel and tyrannical, thus laying the basis for the inevitable rise of Stalinism, is to be welcomed. As such, Lars T Lih's concise biography of Lenin is a useful addition.' - Socialist Review 'This is an important contribution to our understanding of Lenin ... This slim volume is a welcome contribution to the battle to combat the lies and myths of both the Stalinist tradition and the right wing opponents of Bolshevism. The scholarly research which informs it makes it a valuable addition to anyone's library.' - Socialist Alternative 'Lih's biography is both an excellent introduction to Lenin and a provocative interpretation that will challenge those familiar with his life and work.' - New Socialist, Canada 'Lars T Lih's excellent short biography of Lenin is a welcome addition to the serious socialist literature on classical Marxist history. Although it contains some nuggets from the archives and some references to interesting but lesser known contemporary sources, the book's chief merits are its strongly contextual interpretation of Lenin's life and its readable style.' - Worker's Liberty 'A carefully drawn, subtle yet compelling portrait of a revolutionary. This is probably the best and most reliable treatment we have had on Lenin in many decades, and it will fill a fair gap for scholars, students and the general public.' - Professor Ronald Suny, University of Michigan, author of The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR and the Successor States 'A scholarly, highly accessible book. It uniquely links Lenin to a political project for human liberation ... the best treatment of Lenin and his ideas I have seen in recent years.' - Immanuel Ness, Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College, City University of New York
