" ... tells the story of how Lenin realized his ambitions amidst the intrigues of his opponents and bitter struggles with the Czar's secret police. It takes the reader through all the exciting ups and downs of Lenin's life in Russia and as an exile in England and other countries. Using much of Lenin'e own writings, Lionel Kochan tells the life story of the man whose battle against autocracy led to the foundation of the world's first communist state."--Publisher's description.