Robert Service draws on hitherto unexamined archives and on his profound understanding of Russian history to present this re-examination of the extraordinary life of Leon Trotsky, the first for many years. It explores the myth that has grown up which portrays him as a pure revolutionary soul and powerful intellect, unjustly hounded into exile by Stalin and his henchmen; presenting a reality which is quite different. From the acclaimed biographer of both Lenin and Stalin, this is sure to be widely reviewed.