The Revolution Betrayed: What Is the Soviet Union and Where Is It Going?, by Leon Trotsky (TPB, 1972, $2.75)
Reading the title gives you a general idea of what Trotsky thought about Stalin. Trotsky may have organized the October Revolution, and founded the Red Army, but he was not happy when Stalin took over power. Says Trotsky, "The present Communist 'leaders' ... have suddenly discovered the enormous advantages of opportunism, and have seized upon it with the freshness proper to that ignorance which has always distinguished them. Their slavish and not always disinterested kowtowing to the upper circles in the Kremlin alone renders them absolutely incapable of revolutionary initiative. They answer critical arguments no otherwise than with snarling and barking; and, moreover, under the whip of the boss, they wag their tales."
History is so peculiar and exciting. Lenin knows he is dying, and writes in his will that Trotsky should take control of Russia after Lenin dies. But, oops, Stalin's wife works in Lenin's private office, and lets Stalin in on the plan. Stalin manipulates the other Russian leaders to get control. Trotsky accuses Stalin of being a dictator, and no longer working toward world revolution. Stalin accuses Trotsky of being devisive. Trotsky wants Lenin's will to be publicized. The leaders vote not to, and Trotsky is exiled. Hmm....., where will he go? Famous people working toward world revolution are not the most popular people in the world, so he has a problem finding a country that will let him in.
This book,originally published in 1937, was one of three where Trotsky informed the world of his feelings about Stalin. Stalin, never a shy man, ordered Trotsky assassinated in 1940, and what Stalin wanted, Stalin got. Look for this book in the Russian history section.
