Originally published in 1955, this is an illuminating study of the political thought and action of the Russian intelligentsia, in the decade up to and including the Revolution of 1905-6. It is based on the writings, including those in the revolutionary press, by which the chief figures of the main opposition parties expressed their political theory, strategy and tactics and related them to the turbulent events of those years. It is also based on personal interviews with some of the survivors of these political struggles.