Rajani Palme Dutt (1896-1974) was a leading figure in the Communist Party of Great Britain from the 1920s to the 1960s. His strong links with the Comintern made him, throughout this period, a devoted - and stern - supporter of orthodoxy within the CPGB. This new political biography gives a fascinating insight into the mind of a Stalinist, and the twists and turns of communist politics, from the first enthusiastic support for the Bolshevik revolution through to the beginnings of decay in 1956.

Dutt was an intriguing political character. He had a brilliant analytical mind, and a strong commitment to the international working class movement and the cause of national liberation - especially in India, his father's birthplace; yet it seems that, even within the leading circles of the Party, he was regarded as a cold, dogmatic and ruthless operator.

Through an intertwining of personal and political history, this well-documented book not only tells the fascinating story of Palme Dutt's life, but also provides a key to understanding the rise and fall of communism in the twentieth century.