About the book: year / Based on a vast array of archival and published documents, the publication reveals the activities of L.D. Trotsky during the 1917 revolution, the Civil War and the first years of the NEP. As chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, Trotsky played a leading role in the Bolshevik coup in October 1917, which was then recognized everywhere, including by I.V. Stalin. As People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Trotsky took part in the peace negotiations in Brest-Litovsk, where, for reasons of principle, he refused to sign the peace treaty, which led to a heated debate in party circles. The narrative continues with chapters about the appointment of Trotsky as People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and his role in the creation of the Red Army. The first clashes between Trotsky and Stalin, which became the cause of future bitter enmity, are especially examined. The book shows that Trotsky was an ardent supporter of “war communism”, a builder of “armies of labor”, directly led the brutal suppression of the Kronstadt uprising, supported the introduction of the NEP. The history of the removal of the sick Lenin from power was analyzed with special attention; episodes of the struggle between Trotsky and the “troika” of Politburo members - Stalin, G.E. Zinoviev and L.B. Kamenev during the battle for Lenin’s legacy; the gradual loss of Trotsky, who occupied second place after Lenin in the party and state hierarchy, of his positions. An album of archival photographs is attached.