# Lenin — The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism character guide > Lenin in The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism by Bertrand Russell. **Role:** major **First appearance:** 0001-the-practice-and-theory-of-bolshevism ## Snapshot Architect of the Bolshevik hope, Lenin commands a faith Russell likens to the Sermon on the Mount — admirable in aim, fanatical in grip, and shadowed by cruelty. ## Who they are Lenin stands at the center of Russell's inquiry as the man whose movement has given war-weary Europe a new religion: an end to economic slavery, class disunion, and commercial falsehood. Russell grants the grandeur of that promise while insisting the fanaticism behind it is a camouflage for cruelty, and that the same fervor which once raised cathedrals also lit the Inquisition. The book's early arc turns on this tension — whether Lenin's hope redeems its methods or dooms them. ## Relationships ### [Trotsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/trotsky) _rivalry_ Lenin and Trotsky were ideological rivals and political competitors within the Bolshevik movement, often clashing over strategy and leadership. ### [Gorky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/gorky) _friendship_ Gorky and Lenin shared a complex friendship, with Gorky supporting Lenin's revolutionary goals but often criticizing his methods. ### [Kamenev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/kamenev) _professional_ Kamenev was a close colleague and ally of Lenin, serving as a key Bolshevik leader and often supporting Lenin's policies. ### [Marx](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/marx) _psychological_ Lenin revered Marx as the theoretical father of communism, building his revolutionary practice on Marx's doctrines. ## In the story ### [The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/the-practice-and-theory-of-bolshevism) Discussed as the leader of the Bolshevik regime, whose policies and theories are examined critically. ### [Part I: The Present Condition of Russia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/part-i-the-present-condition-of-russia) Russell discusses Lenin's role in the Bolshevik government and his ideological influence. ### [I: What Is Hoped from Bolshevism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/i-what-is-hoped-from-bolshevism) Implied as leader of the Bolshevik regime; the chapter discusses the Communist party's concentration of power and hope. ### [General Characteristics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ii-general-characteristics) Described as a non-proletarian Communist who holds the right opinions; Russell recounts Lenin's view on a Labour Government in England and his willingness to sacrifice Russia for the revolution. ### [III: Lenin, Trotsky and Gorky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iii-lenin-trotsky-and-gorky) Russell describes Lenin as friendly yet dictatorial, devoid of self-importance, and deeply committed to the materialist conception of history. He is skeptical of peaceful transition and advocates for world revolution. ### [Art and Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iv-art-and-education) Mentioned as already figuring in woodcuts as a Moses-like deliverer of the people. ### [VI: The Failure of Russian Industry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vi-the-failure-of-russian-industry) Implied as leader behind the policies discussed, though not directly quoted. ### [International Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/ix-international-policy) Russell references Lenin's 'First Sketch of the Theses on National and Colonial Questions' and notes Lenin's role in preventing a Bonapartist military autocracy. ### [Part II: Bolshevik Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/part-ii-bolshevik-theory) Central figure in the exposition of Bolshevik theory. ### [III: Bolshevik Criticism of Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iii-bolshevik-criticism-of-democracy) Implied as the architect of Bolshevik revolutionary theory, though not directly named in this chapter. ### [Revolution and Dictatorship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/iv-revolution-and-dictatorship) Lenin is referenced as the primary exponent of the Bolshevik programme for achieving Communism, particularly in his replies to the Independent Labour Party. ### [Mechanism and the Individual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/v-mechanism-and-the-individual) Implied as leader of Bolsheviks whose methods are critiqued for sacrificing individual freedom. ### [Why Russian Communism Has Failed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vi-why-russian-communism-has-failed) Implied as leader of the Bolshevik government whose policies are critiqued. ### [Conditions for the Success of Communism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/chapters/vii-conditions-for-the-success-of-communism) Referenced indirectly through the policies of the Soviet Government and the Third International, which Russell critiques for promoting premature revolutions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters/lenin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_practice_and_theory_of_bolshevism_se/characters