Trotsky and His Critics (Revolutionary History)

In this presentation of contemporary and critical assessments of Leon Trotsky, many of the writings have never previously been published in English, while others have not reappeared since their first publication. Much of the featured material argues, among other things, that Trotsky's views on events were skewed through the prism of the experience of the October Revolution and the factional debates within the Soviet Communist Party, and that this seriously impaired his strategic and tactical acumen, especially in respect of the Spanish Civil War. Included in this collection are: Boris Souvarine’s lengthy letter to Trotsky, articles on Trotsky from the German Communist Party (Opposition), Jay Lovestone on Trotsky and Soviet foreign policy, a Christian socialist critique of The Revolution Betrayed and defense of the Moscow Trials, and an anarchist critique of Trotskyism and the Spanish Civil War. In publishing the “other side” of the arguments, this issue of Revolutionary History series is continuing in its role of developing an understanding of key historical events and encouraging discussion of the past within today’s socialist movement.