"Lenin: A Revolutionary Life" by Christopher Read (Repost)

This biography is an excellent and reliable introduction to one of the key figures of the Russian Revolution and post-tsarist Russia. This book gives a fresh and original account of Lenin's personal life and political career. Christopher Read draws on a broad range of primary and secondary sources, making use of archive material made available in the Glasnost and post-Soviet eras.

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was an enigmatic leader, a resolute and audacious politician who had an immense impact on 20th century world history. Lenin's life and career have been at the center of much ideological debate for decades. The post-Soviet era has seen a revived interest and re-evaluation of the Russian Revolution and Lenin's legacy.
Focal points of this study are Lenin's revolutionary ascetic personality; his exploitation of cultural, educational and propaganda means; his relationship to Marxism; his changing class analysis of Russia; and his "populist" instincts.

CONTENTS
LIST OF PLATES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHRONOLOGY
Introduction
1 Choosing revolution
2 Laying the foundations of Leninism (1896–1902)
3 Constructing Leninism
4 Imperialism, war and revolution
5 From the Finland station to the Winter Palace
6 From classroom to laboratory – early experiments
7 Revolutionary war
8 Re-evaluation, succession and testament
Conclusion: Lenin lived! Lenin lives! Lenin will live forever!
NOTES
FURTHER READING
INDEX