Terrorism and Communism (Revolutions Series)

Slavoj Zizek presents Trotsky

By: Leon Trotsky, Slavoj Žižek

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Soon after the Bolshevik victory in the Russian Revolution, Leon Trotsky led the Red Army against the counter-revolutionary White armies. Written in the white heat of the Civil War, "Terrorism and Communism" is one of the most potent defences of revolutionary dictatorship of the twentieth century. In his provocative commentary in this new edition, the coruscating critic Slavoj Zizek argues that Trotsky's attack on the illusions of democracy has a vital relevance to today.

©2007 Verso (editorial matter), Slavoj Zizek (P)2011 Audible Ltd

From the Cauldron of the Russian Revolution

It is a pleasant surprise to find audible producing an audio edition of a work by Trotsky, especially a work such as this. This is Trotsky fresh from the front of the Civil War, writing just a few eventful years since the October Revolution (which is called the November revolution here for the usual reasons). While many will, no doubt, purchase the book for Slavoj Zizek's lengthy introduction, it is Trotsky's text that is the major work here. Sean Barrett does a fine job of reading the text and thus conjuring back to life the indomitable spirit of the Russian Revolution in its most ruthless and thus its most resolutely utopian moment. I can only say I hope for more works such as this from audible in the future.

A strange audiobook - but no waste of money

For me this was my first exploration of leftist literature. I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland because I had nothing to compare it with. I now have discovered a part of history that I never knew about. It's a weird but intriguing text.

Thought provoking!

a primary source of the ideas and aspirations of Soviet communism at it's birth (1920).

Justifications for a ruinous and murderous ideology

Defenders of the deadly “isms” often state that their deadly ideology wasn’t “really” tried because it was hijacked by totalitarian cults of personality. As Trotsky often cited as the rightful idealist heir to Lenin, kindly points out for us in this work, that is nonsense. The ideology itself is murderous, dictatorial, and requires slavery. Sorry, compulsory labor. With Trotsky, You’ll still end up dead in a gulag, but the notice will be more eloquently written.

I gave this work high marks because while the foundations of it are horrific, it is essential for understanding the nature of socialism.

This is Trotsky

At his best
Nothing is even said in jest
This is before he was slain
In Mexico with ice pick in the brain

What an adventure!

What did you love best about Terrorism and Communism (Revolutions Series)?

Bertolt Brecht, in his time, once said that Trotsky must be the greatest literary writer alive. I've read other Trotsky books and I wasn't prepared to contradict that, but not until I heard this performance was it made absolutely clear how true that is. Trotsky's constant wit had me laughing aloud at the ridiculous attempts of poor Kautsky (Trotsky's target in this polemic) at slander. Add to this Trotsky's moral high ground, and his masterful command of metaphor and literary subtlety, and this book should be studied in literary or theater courses at the university. Aside from this, there are actually many good arguments made which wouldn't appear obvious to many on a first glance, and I found Trotsky's argument itself quite insightful.

But I am not sure this would have been so apparent had it not been for the audio performance by Sean Barrett. From beginning to end, Barrett gives full life to the polemical text; it is as if Trotsky himself were thundering down from the speakers' platform. This is without a doubt the best recording of a book that I have ever heard, it is a rare indication of the potential of this format.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

But I am not sure this would have been so apparent had it not been for the audio performance by Sean Barrett. From beginning to end, Barrett gives full life to the polemical text; it is as if Trotsky himself were thundering down from the speakers' platform. This is without a doubt the best recording of a book that I have ever heard, it is a rare indication of the potential of this format.

Trotsky is honest, his narrator is perfect

What could have been a dry theoretical/historical treatise is utterly brought to life by the narrator, who brings vitality to Trotsky's eloquence and sass.

While the subject matter (defense of the Red Terror) would make anyone squeamish, Trotsky makes as compelling an argument as you can expect from the best orator of October.

I listen to this audiobook repeatedly for the amazing performance alone, the interesting politics are icing.

Entertaining

very fun read, Trotsky is truly a developed author and great philosopher in the Marxist Troup.

Tyrant up to the elbows in blood

Would you try another book from Leon Trotsky and Slavoj Zizek and/or Sean Barrett?

No

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

Excellent

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Radicalized minority can rule majority only by terror. The faulty logic of the author rationalizing killing hostages, militarization of economy, forceful requisition of grain from the peasants, and undermining middle class of the imperfect society of Czar's Russia.
History has a suborn logic. The one who lives by the sward shell perish by the sward... Well, its rock climber's axe of NKVD agent striking Trotsky's head to be precise...
The book caries an important message of the failed experiment of the communist coup of October of 1917... It is hopeful that the mankind will learn from it...

Huge disappoonent.

I expexted more interesting thoughts from Žižek. He only wrote a short introduction. The information on this book is misleading.