In the introduction to his new biography of Lenin, Victor Sebestyen describes the Russian leader as “the godfather of what commentators a century after his time describe as ‘post-truth politics’”. It is fortunate, or unfortunate, timing that its publication coincides with Donald Trump’s éminence grise Steve Bannon describing himself as a Leninist, approvingly saying: “Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too.” In Sebestyen’s carefully written, if somewhat exhausting biography, the parallels with modern-day despotism are clear; underneath the superficial sophistication and personal charm, Lenin was capable of acts of appalling evil, not least setting in train what would become Stalinism. There is a welcome emphasis on Lenin’s personal life, including his ménage à trois with his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, and his mistress, Inessa Armand, and Sebestyen’s attention to historical detail is flawless. Yet it’s an extremely long and finally wearying book that might make the average reader long for something more concise and accessible.
• Lenin the Dictator by Victor Sebestyen is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson (£25). To order a copy for £21.25 go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99
