Curtis’s Reviews > Stalin: Passage to Revolution > Status Update

Really good but far from the narrative biography I expected--readers should have some familiarity with the Russian Revolution & politics behind it first. As a deep dive in pre-revolution Marxist theory in Caucasia, it's incredible. Suny is amazing at delineating factions. We never get into Stalin's head yet learn tons about his politics. Just takes a lot of patience! Best book I've read so far this year.

Bolsheviks eager to use Tsar strategies to gain dominance. Under Tsar's pretense to democracy, he legalized the Duma, but when they ran against him, he dismissed it & reconstituted it full of loyalists. Now post-revolution, there's a democratic Soviet, but since it isn't conforming to what Bolsheviks want, they want to re-constitute it with loyalists, & now favour the idea of just seizing power as a fringe group.

National question chapter laid groundwork for WW1's outbreak really well, since it dovetails with Bolshevik sentiments on the war. Feb revolution described in few paragraphs, really get the sense you're backstage as familiar events play out. Highlights how Stalin was peripheral until he swooped in to get power. Opportunist, leech. Interesting when he writes his own theory, especially when he differs with Lenin.

An entire chapter just discussing the national question among different socialists. If nothing else this is a great deep dive into socialist/communist thought of the early 1900s. Suny puts you right there among workers & intellectuals as their political consciousness takes shape. But Lenin/Stalin's tyrannical leanings revealed a bit at a time, increasingly narrowing acceptable dialogue, consistently anti-democracy.

Lenin's black spot anecdote about smearing opponents another red flag (no pun intended) of things to come. They disparage anyone willing to use duma/Kadet alliance to fight for rights even though this route may be more stable. Marx/Engels historical materialism discarded; Stalin says "if Marx didn't agree, we should change his writing so that he does." Rooting for Mensheviks & surprised they're still dominant faction

Stalin more a 'Leninist' than Lenin, deciding no room for negotiating any of Lenin's stances even though Lenin shows himself making concessions to Mensheviks after 1905 revolution. Glimpses of what might have been accomplished had Tsar followed through on Duma reforms. Thinking book might be challenging for those new to subject. Meant to entice with pop history presentation but places where info is cursory.

Must have appetite for political theory to appreciate this section; also reader should have some knowledge of the conditions under Tsar that led to movements like this. I fit that! Both factions know there's magic ratio of workers/theorists in party--they disagree on ratio. Didn't know Mensheviks were so favored in Georgia! Bolshevik strats against voting & workers majority presages their tyranny once power is taken.

Stalin returns, but peers skeptical due to Batumi fiasco & national 'Bundist' proclivities. Menshevik/Bolshevik split, tho latter not certain to win out yet, especially as their theory of workers being incapable of praxis without being led by smart people is being disproven daily by huge labour movement going on without Bolshevik input. Learning lots about Leninism, though theory sections might drag on some readers.

Stalin gets to exile, says 'fuck y'all I'm out' & leaves! Funny cop incompetence; they literally lose track of Stalin & think he's escaped while he's still in prison, send a spy to a secret meeting where it's too dark to identify anyone & he can't understand the language they're speaking, a spy tailing Stalin gets detained by a cop because Stalin pretends he's the spy & sics the cops on the real spy. 3 Stooges shit.

Stalin kicked out by Baku movement, starts fresh in Batumi, culminating in 1902 strike/massacre. Results continue debate between ekonomisty & politiki. Latter argues violent flashpoints are good because they drive people to the cause, former believe they should avoid arrest/violence for workers. You can see Stalin/Lenin's tyrant side in their insistence that the massacre will have net positives for movement.