Standing almost half way between the events of 1917 and now, this book provides a fascinating midpoint look at Soviet Communism. Deutscher sees things so clearly, and expounds them in a similar manner.

He recognises the inherent dangers of defeat for the Soviet system as it struggles with its failures - the lack of support to other potential revolutions, the overbearing bureaucracy of Russian society and the lack of proletarian input - but, he offers hope. He surmises, from other revolutions, that restoration is followed by rehabilitation, whereby the best of the revolutions aspects are restored. ( )