Writings in Exile

Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky was a key political figure of the twentieth century – a leader of the Russian Revolution, founder of the Red Army, author of books on literature, history, morality and politics.

Leon Trotsky: Writings in Exile contains some of his most insightful and penetrating works. Exiled and isolated by Stalin, Trotsky used the only weapon he had left – words. In these writings he defends the 1917 revolution, warns prophetically of fascism and analyses anti-colonial movements in the global south.

This collection gives a sense of the real Trotsky – passionate, humanist, Marxist. It will introduce the writings of one of history’s great revolutionaries to a new generation.

Contents

Section 1: Revolutionary Russia and Bureaucratic Dictatorship
1. In Defense of October
2. Stalinism and Bolshevism
3. Letter to Soviet Workers
Section 2: Fascism and United Front
4. What Is National Socialism
5. Letter to a German Worker (United Front for Defense)
6. Lessons of Spain
Section 3: Anti-Imperialism and National Struggle
7. Closer to the Proletarians of Colored Races
8. The Chinese Revolution
9. Letter to the Workers of India
10. Mexico and British Imperialism
11. Nationalized Industry
12. On Black Nationalism (excerpts)
Section 4: Summing Up, Looking to the Future
13. Transitional Program (excerpts)
14. Trade Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay
15. Testament

About the Author

Leon Trotsky was one of the most prominent leaders of the Russian Revolution in 1917. He was one of the primary contenders for the leadership of the Bolshevik Party in 1922 after the death of Lenin. When Stalin took this post, Trotsky swiftly concluded that the Revolution had been undermined. He was expelled from the Communist Party in 1927 and subsequently went into exile in Mexico, where he was assassinated by Soviet agents in 1940.