In the period from 1881 to 1917 socialist movements flourished in every major centre of Russian Jewish life, but, despite common foundations, there was often profound and bitter disagreement between them. This book describes the formation and evolution of these movements, which were at once united by a powerful vision and sundered by the contradictions of practical politics.

Winner of the Kenneth B. Smilen/Present Tense Magazine Book Award in History

‘… will undoubtedly come to be regarded as the definitive political history of Russian Jews and left-wing nationalism in English or any other language.’

Source: The American Historical Review

‘Frankel’s book is impressive, demanding a patient and attentive reading. It is well-researched and, while ranging widely, never loses sight of its central theses. It is an indispensable work for the study of the fertile and extended world of Russian Jewry.’

Source: The Slavic Review

‘(his) feat of imaginative scholarly evocation leaves the reader with a rare sense of intellectual exhilaration.’

Source: The Times Literary Supplement

'the definitive work on Jewish politics in late imperial Russia, unparalleled in both breadthand depth.'

Faith Hillis Source: The Russian Review