The Dilemmas of Lenin : Terrorism, War, Empire, Love, Revolution

**On the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali paints an illuminating portrait of Lenin**__“Without Lenin there would have been no socialist revolution in 1917. Of this much we can be certain.”__ Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the October 1917 uprising, is one of the most misunderstood leaders of the twentieth century. In his own time, there were many, even among his enemies, who acknowledged the full magnitude of his intellectual and political achievements. But his legacy has been lost in misinterpretation; he is worshipped but rarely read. On the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali explores the two major influences on Lenin’s thought—the turbulent history of Tsarist Russia and the birth of the international labour movement—and explains how Lenin confronted dilemmas that still cast a shadow over the present. Is terrorism ever a viable strategy? Is support for imperial wars ever justified? Can politics be made without a party? Was the seizure of power in 1917 morally justified? Should he have parted company from his wife and lived with his lover? In __The Dilemmas of Lenin__, Ali provides an insightful portrait of Lenin’s deepest preoccupations and underlines the clarity and vigour of his theoretical and political formulations. He concludes with an affecting account of Lenin’s last two years, when he realized that “we knew nothing” and insisted that the revolution had to be renewed lest it wither and die. On The Centenary Of The Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali Paints An Illuminating Portrait Of Lenin At The End Of His Life, Lenin Wrote 'we Didn't Know Everything', Acknowledging The Dilemmas He Faced On The Road To Revolution In 1917 And Beyond. In This Unusual Exploration Of The Crises That Lenin Overcame, The Decisions He Made, And Actions That He Took, Tariq Ali Reveals An Insightful Political Portrait Of This Most Exemplary Leader. From The First Stirrings Of Revolutionary Fervour, Lenin Sought The Right Answer To A Series Of Dilemmas That He Faced And That Still Resonate With Us Today: Is Terrorism Ever A Useful Tactic? Can Imperial Wars Ever Be Supported? What Sort Of Political Party Do We Need? What Is The Moral Justification For Seizing Power? How Does One Overcome The Burden Of History? What Role Does Friendship Or Love Play In Revolution? How Do You Establish A Legacy That Lasts? Ali Reveals That No Other Modern Thinker Than Lenin Has Better Understood, Nor More Clearly Articulated, The Need To Change The World. But Do Lenin's Ideas, As Expressed In His Actions And His Political Writings, Still Have Any Significance For Us? In This Centenary Year Of The Russian Revolution, This Book Raises Important Questions Related To Political Representation And The Popular Institutions Necessary To Challenge Capitalism Today. The secret life of the man who reshaped Russia Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the October 1917 uprising, is one of the most misunderstood leaders of the twentieth century. In his own time, there were many, even among his enemies, who acknowledged the full magnitude of his intellectual and political achievements. But his legacy has been lost in misinterpretation; he is worshipped but rarely read. On the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali explores the two major influences on Lenin’s thought—the turbulent history of Tsarist Russia and the birth of the international labour movement—and explains how Lenin confronted dilemmas that still cast a shadow over the present. Is terrorism ever a viable strategy? Is support for imperial wars ever justified? Can politics be made without a party? Was the seizure of power in 1917 morally justified? Should he have parted company from his wife and lived with his lover? In The Dilemmas of Lenin , Ali provides an insightful portrait of Lenin’s deepest preoccupations and underlines the clarity and vigour of his theoretical and political formulations. He concludes with an affecting account of Lenin’s last two years, when he realized that “we knew nothing” and insisted that the revolution had to be renewed lest it wither and die. "Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the October 1917 uprising, is one of the most misunderstood leaders of the twentieth century. In his own time, there were many, even among his enemies, who acknowledged the full magnitude of his intellectual and political achievements. But his legacy has been lost in misinterpretation; he is worshipped but rarely read. On the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali explores the two major influences on Lenin's thought--the turbulent history of Tsarist Russia and the birth of the international labour movement--and explains how Lenin confronted dilemmas that still cast a shadow over the present. Is terrorism ever a viable strategy? Is support for imperial wars ever justified? Can politics be made without a party? Was the seizure of power in 1917 morally justified? Should he have parted company from his wife and lived with his lover? In The Dilemmas of Lenin, Ali provides an insightful portrait of Lenin's deepest preoccupations and underlines the clarity and vigour of his theoretical and political formulations. He concludes with an affecting account of Lenin's last two years, when he realized that 'we knew nothing' and insisted that the revolution had to be renewed lest it wither and die."--Publisher information Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the October 1917 uprising, is one of the most misunderstood leaders of the twentieth century. In his own time, there were many, even among his enemies, who acknowledged the full magnitude of his intellectual and political achievements. But his legacy has been lost in misinterpretation; he is worshipped but rarely read.Tariq Ali explores the two major influences on Lenin's thought - the turbulent history of Tsarist Russia and the birth of the international labour movement - and explains how Lenin confronted dilemmas that still cast a shadow over the present. Is terrorism ever a viable strategy? Is support for imperial wars ever justified? Can politics be made without a party? Was the seizure of power in 1917 morally justified? Should he have parted company from his wife and lived with his lover?In The Dilemmas of Lenin, Ali provides an insightful portrait of Lenin's deepest preoccupations and underlines the clarity and vigour of his theoretical and political formulations. He concludes with an affecting account of Lenin's last two years, when he realized that'we knew nothing'and insisted that the revolution had to be renewed lest it wither and die. Halftitle Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: On Lenin Section One: Terrorism and Utopia 1. Terrorism versus Absolutism 2. The Elder Brother 3. The Younger Brother Section Two: Internationalism, Socialism, Empires and War 4. The Birth of Internationalism 5. Socialism 6. Empires at War Section Three: 1917–1920: States and Revolutions 7. February 8. October 9. The Aftermath 10. The Third International 11. Red Army, Civil War, Military Philosophers Section Four: The Question of Women 12. The First Wave 13. The Octobrist Women 14. Sunlight and Moonlight Section Five: The Last Fight Let Us Face 15. Till the Bitter End 16. Friends and Enemies Epilogue: On Climbing a High Mountain Notes Glossary of Personal Names Further Reading Index Introduction: on Lenin Section I. Terrorism and utopia Terrorism versus absolutism Elder brother The younger brother Section II. Internationalism, socialism, empires and war The birth of internationalism Socialism Empires at war Section III. 1917-20: states and revolutions February October Aftermath The Third International Red Army, civil war, military philosophers Section IV. The question of women The first wave The Octobrist women Sunlight and moonlight Section V. The last fight let us face Till the bitter end Friends and enemies Epilogue: On climbing a high mountain, by V.I. Lenin.