this definitely seemed like a good intro for someone who doesn't know much about the topic (me) while also being pretty seemingly comprehensive with the names and dates, unfortunately that was mostly what it consisted of and I would've liked some more "intellectual history" or analysis of events but it was really cool to learn about all the people involved and their internal conflicts while also always focusing on the way the struggle stemmed from unified masses. I like how this book is necessarily critical of various sides of the revolutionaries while also humanizing them, explaining their reasoning in such difficult times. It seems that something great and good existed in the kernel of the Bolsheviks' thinking if not the trajectory and so their struggle is still inspiring today when we need some sort of leftist unity and revolution more than ever.