Trotsky

Downfall of a Revolutionary

By: Bertrand M. Patenaude

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

In Trotsky: Downfall of a Revolutionary, Stanford University lecturer Bertrand M. Patenaude tells the dramatic story of Leon Trotsky's final years in exile in Mexico. Shedding new light on Trotsky's tumultuous friendship with painter Diego Rivera, his affair with Rivera’s wife Frida Kahlo, and his torment as his family and comrades become victims of the Great Terror, Trotsky: Downfall ofa Revolutionary brilliantly illuminates the fateful and dramatic life of one of history's most famous yet elusive figures.

©2009 Bertrand M. Patenaude (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Historical Accuracy, Inaccurate Interpretation

I found this book to be absolutely entertaining and absolutely historically accurate, to the best I can tell. However though it is historically accurate I think its interpretations are inaccurate. I do not think the USSR’s dissolution was inevitable, and I think that things could’ve ended differently if Trotsky was General Secretary. And though the characterization of Trotsky was fairer than most, I think his flaws were overly accentuated. This is still a fantastic book and it definitely deserves a read (or in this case a listen).

Effective Storytelling & Informative

Really enjoyed this listen. I was looking for a biography that would give me a sense of who Trotsky was with some context and balance and that’s what I got. The book centers on good time in exile in Mexico but the author effectively uses flashbacks to foundational moments in the past to build a complete picture. There were sections where I got lost in the names of some of the supporting characters but overall the story was easy to follow and entertaining. The author also provides a balanced portrait and isn’t overcome by anti-communist tones that plague other books about the topic. The reader was good although I found his dip onto an American accent for certain dialog a little jarring. In the end a great book if your looking for a well rounded portrait of Trotsky.

Good Trotsky Book, BAD conclusions at end

What made the experience of listening to Trotsky the most enjoyable?

It was a good book on Leon Trotsky. Many hard line "Trotskyists" will dislike the book, but they dislike most books that are not 100% in line with their factions views. Trotsky with Lenin were the greatest fighters for humanity; however, the authors final conclusions that "Trotsky had nothing," and his complete discounting of Red October, makes it necessary to take this work with many grains of salt.

Interesting book

What made the experience of listening to Trotsky the most enjoyable?

I didn't know the details of Trotsky's story so it was really interesting to hear the details.

Any additional comments?

Waterson has a good voice and is easy to listen to, but at times it sounds like someone else's voice is dubbed in. It's a little jarring.

Illuminating

A very unique man that played a major role in history. Glad to have gained so much more insight into who he was.

Trotsky in Mexico

The book dips back into Trotskys fall and banishment from Russia as well as his relationship with both Lenin and Stalin but largely the book concerns his time in Mexico. We learn a lot of his relationship with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo and of course his ultimate murder by Stalin. The book has an excellent post script on what became of the various players in the story.