INTRODUCTION
This work by Comrade Lenin shares a position of equal importance with that of any of the works that he has presented to the movement. Viewed from a tactical angle, its value can not be over-estimated. In the books, etc., that have previously come to hand from Lenin, we have generally had a statement of tactical principles, but in this work we find a more detailed application of these principles to the concrete struggle. Therefore, this book has a great value as an aid to the understanding of the principles that have guided this great Marxian in his activity in the Russian Revolution.
It is important to note that Comrade Lenin makes no extravagant claims for the Russian Revolution as a guide to the revolution in other lands. Those that have aimed at following every step of the Russian Revolution will find small consolation in this volume. However, he says: "One must admit some fundamental features of our revolution to be of such international significance." There is no doubt that the Russian Revolution is properly the guide for the Communist elements of the world and many of the secondary as well as fundamental features of the revolution will find their place in the international revolution. But it would be "erroneous not to keep in mind that, after the proletarian revolution in at least one of the advanced countries, things will in all probability take a sharp turn; Russia will cease to be the model, and will become again the backward (in the 'Soviet' and Socialist sense) country."
The various factions of "Left" Communists with whom Lenin deals have their replicas in America and we can learn considerable by correctly relating this book to American conditions. We, too, have our "Left" Communists who refused to work with the conservative and backward elements in the
