Book · 2015 · Biography & Autobiography
The Prophet
The Life of Leon Trotsky
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The first is The Prophet by Isaac Deutscher, a Polish historian who only learned English, I think in his early 30s and then wrote one of the greatest biographies of the 20th century. It's a three-part biography of Leon Trotsky.
Why people recommend it
The Prophet is a three-part biography of Leon Trotsky written by the Polish historian Isaac Deutscher. On an episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled What ‘Hyperpolitics’ Explains About This Era, released on September 8, 2026, Anton Jäger recommended the work during a discussion on political history and literature. Jäger noted that the author was a Polish historian who learned English only in his early thirties before producing what the speaker described as one of the greatest biographies of the twentieth century. The speaker emphasized the monumental scope and literary quality of the three-part life of Leon Trotsky, praising its depth and historical significance. Jäger presented the biography as an essential work for understanding political movements and historical figures, highlighting Deutscher's remarkable mastery of language and historical analysis. The recommendation underscored the enduring relevance of Deutscher's scholarship for contemporary readers interested in the intellectual and political trajectories of the twentieth century.
Every mention
Anton Jäger The first is The Prophet by Isaac Deutscher, a Polish historian who only learned English, I think in his ea… 1
“The first is The Prophet by Isaac Deutscher, a Polish historian who only learned English, I think in his early 30s and then wrote one of the greatest biographies of the 20th century. It's a three-part biography of Leon Trotsky”
