The Prophet

The Life of Leon Trotsky

By: Isaac Deutscher

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

This three-part biography of Leon Trotsky was hailed by Graham Greene as one of "the greatest . . . in the English language"—a must listen for those interested in the history of Soviet Russia and international communism.

Few political figures of the twentieth century have aroused such intensities of fierce admiration and reactionary fear as Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. His extraordinary life and extensive writings have left an indelible mark on the revolutionary consciousness. Yet there was once a danger that his life and influence would be relegated to the footnotes of history.

Published over the course of ten years, beginning in 1954, Deutscher's magisterial three-volume biography turned back the tide of Stalin's propaganda, and has since been praised by everyone from Tony Blair to Graham Greene. In this definitive work, now reissued in a single volume, Trotsky's true stature emerges as the most heroic, and ultimately tragic, character of the Russian Revolution.

(P)2025 Tantor Media

Fascinating and tragic

I did not expect it to be so interesting and engaging. A master of writing and narration. Deutscher who obviously admired Trotsky makes every marginal debate or less active moment fascinating and meaningful, and it’s hard to stop listening. Not sure that this walker he planned but these books are a great inoculation against dogma and fanaticism.

Stupid fire

This book is crazy bro. In a good way! One of the best narrator performances I’ve ever heard. Took me about a week to blast through this thang, but sheeeesh. It’s detailed asf but also insightful and told with a smooth narrative. The author was a former polish socialist, so you can tell this one came from the heart. Highly recommend!!

By far and away, a wonderful biography

Trotsky is a fascinating character: brilliant and arrogant, heroic at times, villainous at others, his story is exceedingly interesting. The biography itself is written beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. I'll read/listen to it again at some point because it was so compelling, even though it is a long read.

Brilliant

This is more than a terrific biography, it is also a History of Russia from 1917 through 1930 and a history of various classic Marxist political and economic controversies. The narrator is very good