Communist Leaders

Children's Literature

Since the middle of the nineteenth century communist ideology has been a major factor in the political evolution of human societies. Starting with the groundbreaking writings of Karl Marx and his friend and supporter Friedrich Engels, communist thinkers have influenced the lives of more than a billion people. In this book experts in the field of communist study provide readers a compendium of writings dealing with this political schema. Articles detailing the life and thoughts of men such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, and Fidel Castro are arranged in such a way that readers come away with a greater awareness of how communism became the powerful and then descendant ideology. In these essays an array of writers details facts regarding the personal and philosophical development of eight communist figures from history. Starting with Marx & Engels and ending with the horrific regime of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, the editor offers his readers a solid background in the many colorations of communist thought. This is a valuable chronicle of a political movement that still oversees the fate of 20% of the world's people. Readers interested in learning more about the history of communism would do well to consult this well crafted anthology. 2005, Thomson Gale, Ages 14 up.
—Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-The introduction provides a quick overview of the significant role played by these leaders, followed by biographical essays that give special attention to the intellectual and political disputes in which the men participated before gaining power. For example, the chapter on Lenin ends with the October Revolution, so readers have to refer to the introduction for a brief sketch of how Lenin behaved once he had to tackle the real economic challenges of his country. The arrangement is a bit puzzling. The first section sets the stage with several essays on Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The second is devoted to Vladimir Lenin, and one would expect this to be followed by essays on Joseph Stalin. However, the third section is devoted to Fidel Castro, whereas Stalin is lumped together with Ho Chi Minh, Mao Zedong, and Pol Pot in a chapter entitled "Other Major Communist Leaders." Each chapter includes short excerpts from speeches or writings of the figures presented. It is difficult to discern the audience for this book. The essays or excerpts are from publications by reputable scholars, and most of them assume at least a basic knowledge of the history in which these leaders operated. Because the essays are so focused, opportunities are lost to point out policies that these men had in common, some of which were based on Marxism but others not. The subheadings in each essay are useful but the few black-and-white photographs add nothing.-Elizabeth Talbot, University of Illinois, Champaign Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.