My Life: An Attempt at an Autobiography (Dover Value Editions) Kindle Edition

This is the only autobiography by any of the early foundational Communist leaders, and Trotsky (his assumed name, taken from one of his jailers) comes across as an extremely bright thinker, perhaps of the troika--Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin--the most original thinker, yet one who tried to stay true to the revolutionary aspects of Communist thought. It is easy to see how he came into conflict with Lenin and especially Stalin, who had him murdered, for the other two were willing to make any kind of change they deemed necessary to put and keep the Bolshevik party in power, and to make sure that history conformed to their approach (and in the process kept them in absolute control.) One cannot really understand the Russian Revolution and the state power that emerged without considering Trotsky's role. And, his writing style is engaging.

Trotsky is a great historical account of the Russian revolution and the intrigue post revolution between fellow revolutionaries. He was a passionate Marxist and very bright. His stubborn theory of permanent revolution most likely prevented him from making real change. In the end , a common political thug in Stalin achieved the notoriety and power.

A great understanding of the Trotsky and Lenin relationship; their disagreements and why the had a break. Highly recommended for those seeking to understand Trotsky in his own words.

If you're into Trotsky and Left Opposition politics as it were, this was a great read. Almost as good as Deutschet's 3 volume biography. Whatever criticism people have of Trotsky and/or Deutscher, these were volcanic times and both are by and large principled people. These books are reports from the front line on the first proletarian revolution. La Luta Continua. The Struggle Continues.

This work was rather mundane for me. Having read the wonderful, beautifully written autobiography of Nikolai Bukharin "How It All Began", as well as Trotsky's "History of the Russian Revolution", I was expecting a more personal account. It is matter of fact in most places relaying events in his life without much comment or personal feeling. It was a great resource for the facts of Trotsky's life, but I wish that he would have been more descriptive and spirited in this account as he was in his actual speeches.

Great book!!!

Very good historical account

Great read. Trotsky counters many modern-day beliefs about the lack of productivity of communism and its short-comings with respect to capitalism. Very enriching even (or perhaps particularly) today, after a widespread (mis)understanding of communism has established itself in the western world.

First half fascinating.Second half slagging off Stalin... not too difficult.Would have been interested to hear about the death of his daughters... not really mentioned in this autobiog?Fantastic book in good condition.Delivered as expectedService excellentThank you to all.

I found this interesting because Trotsky's turn of phrase in describing his early life was both entertaining and simple, which, given his revolutionary writings came as a complete surprise. I was delighted to see Trotsky humanised, from the icon to the little boy.

The only bolshevik who bothered to write up his version of the facts (as Leo Szilard would say).For students of 20th c history, a must-read

Never Knew this existed ..... the revolution and more from the inside .... a fascinating read .... stories of his escapes from prisons and running the Red Army moving around the front on his war train ... loved it.

Interesting read