Few figures in Russian History are as controversial as Leon Trotsky. There are many reasons for this – some are to do with race, and some to do with politics. Have a look at at this review in the Jewish Daily of a more positive recent biography by Joshua Rubenstein. It is called Leon Trotsky: A Revolutionary’s Life.
In our course Trotsky is a relatively minor figure. However, he is useful when you write about leadership and effectiveness. Compare his ruthless leadership of the Red Army in the Civil War with the Romanov effort in the First World War.
