Leninism. Illustrated

First published in the 1920s, Joseph Stalin’s Leninism presents the Soviet leader’s attempt to define, interpret, and consolidate Vladimir Lenin’s revolutionary ideas into a coherent political doctrine. Written during a crucial period in the early years of the Soviet Union, the work sought to establish the theoretical foundation for what would later be called Marxism–Leninism — a synthesis of Marx’s economic theory and Lenin’s strategy of proletarian revolution.

In these essays and speeches, Stalin outlines the essential principles of Leninist thought: the role of the Communist Party as the vanguard of the working class, the concept of democratic centralism, the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the necessity of international revolution. His exposition combines ideological rigor with political pragmatism, reflecting both his allegiance to Lenin’s legacy and his own growing authority within the Communist movement.

The translation by Eden and Cedar Paul, respected interpreters of Marxist literature, renders Stalin’s dense political prose into clear, readable English while preserving its polemical tone and historical nuance. Accompanied by contemporary illustrations, this edition offers valuable visual context to the formative years of Soviet ideology — portraits of Lenin, early Party congresses, and symbolic representations of revolutionary struggle.

As a historical document, Leninism provides insight into how Stalin positioned himself as Lenin’s intellectual heir and shaped the theoretical justifications for Soviet governance. While later history casts a complex shadow over these writings, they remain essential for understanding the ideological evolution of the twentieth century’s most influential political system.