The Prophet Unarmed
The Prophet Unarmed
Isaac Deutscher
Christopher Hitchens
[Part of a] magnificent trilogy. - Christopher Hitchens
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The Prophet Unarmed

The Prophet Unarmed: Trotsky, 1921-1929

Isaac Deutscher
By
Isaac Deutscher
4.4
526
ratings on Goodreads

In "The Prophet Unarmed," Isaac Deutscher chronicles the tumultuous middle chapter in the life of Leon Trotsky, one of the most complex and influential figures of the twentieth century. Set against the backdrop of a nascent Soviet Union, this volume navigates through the ideological battles and power struggles that ensnared the Bolshevik party after Lenin's death. Deutscher masterfully explores the clash between Trotsky and Stalin, a conflict that would define the future of Soviet Russia and the international communist movement. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of political dynamics, the author brings to life the story of Trotsky's unwavering commitment to his beliefs, his eventual downfall, and his expulsion from the party he helped to found. Through vivid character studies and a narrative enriched by Trotsky's own writings, Deutscher paints a portrait of a man who was not only a revolutionary leader but also a prolific writer, philosopher, and critic. "The Prophet Unarmed" delves into the heart of Trotsky's ideological convictions, his personal struggles, and his relentless fight against the bureaucratization of the revolution. This account is not just a biography but a sweeping historical epic that offers a new assessment of the causes behind Trotsky's defeat. As readers traverse the pages of this book, they are invited to reflect on the tragic fate of a man whose ideas and legacy continue to stir debate long after his banishment and assassination.

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Released
1959
31 Dec
Length
464
Pages

1

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[Part of a] magnificent trilogy. - Christopher Hitchens
It was not only that the Bolshevik bureaucracy subjectively saw itself as the exponent of socialism and that it cultivated, in its own manner, the tradition of proletarian revolution. Objectively, too, by the force of circumstances, it had to work as the chief agent and promoter of the country's development towards collectivism. What ultimately governed the behaviour and the policies of the bureaucracy was the fact that it was in charge of the publicly owned industrial resources of the Soviet Union. It represented the interests of the 'socialist sector' of the economy against those of the 'private sector', rather than the specific interests of any social class; and only to the extent to which the general interest of the 'socialist sector' coincided with the general or 'historic' interest of the working class could the Bolshevik bureaucracy claim to act on behalf of that class.
— Isaac Deutscher, The Prophet Unarmed

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