Table of Contents

Part I. Smolny: Sovnarkom Takes Shape: 1. The origins of Sovnarkom; 2. 'The first proletarian government'; 3. Sovnarkom takes over; 4. Acquiring a bureaucracy; Part II. The Kremlin: Sovnarkom in Action: 5. The move to Moscow; 6. Sovnarkom in session; 7. 'The minute hand'; 8. Sovnarkom's alter ego; Part III. Of Men and Institutions: 9. The system and the chief; 10. The people's commissars: recruitment; 11. The people's commissars: personal background; 12. Government, soviets and party; 13. Props for an ailing chairman; 14. The last months; 15 Some historical reflections.

Promotional Information

This book attempts a detailed account of Lenin and his fellow Bolsheviks their efforts to create a socialist 'cabinet' (Sovnarkom).