Long recognized as a classic, Venturi's authoritative work captures the early and intriguing period of the Russian Revolution. Starting with the 1848 rebellion and ending with the 1888 assassination of Alexander II, it examines Russia's internal and external problems, the ideals and beliefs of her subjects, and, most importantly, the conspiracies and struggles through which populism expressed itself. With a revised author's introduction. "The most thorough survey of the Russian revolutionary movement before 1881...penetrating and readable, with an admirable balance between biography, theory and action."--TLS. "...profound and wide-ranging..."--C.V. Wedgwood.