This book is part of Pluto's 21st birthday series Get Political , which brings essential political writing in a range of fields to a new audience. Lenin has been much maligned in the mainstream, accused of viewing 'man as modeling clay' and of 'social engineering of the most radical kind'. However, in contrast to today's world leaders, who happily turn to violence to achieve their objectives, Lenin believed it impossible to reach his goals 'by any other path than that of political democracy'. Paul Le Blanc brings together a selection of Lenin's writings, including crucial but often ignored shorter works, to show that he held a life-long committment to freedom and democracy. Le Blanc has written a comprehensive introduction, which gives an accessible overview of Lenin's life and work, and explains his relevance to political thought today.This collection will be of immense value to both students new to Lenin, and those looking for a new interpretation of one of the 20th century's most inspiring figures.