12 JUNE 1926, Page 34

.The youth of Mr. Bronstein, now Trotsky, by his _

friend

Comrade Eastman (The Youth Of Trotsky, Faber -and Gwyer, Os.) is a decidedly interesting and a well-written book. Little Leon never played much out of 'doors, never learnt to skate and can only swim a little. He was a cantankerous, sensitive child with a brilliant intellect. At the age of nine he was sent to school at Odeasa, where his energy Manifested itself in working to6 hard, almost "rocking the baby .63 death," and leading n revolt in his school. He had great mathematical ability, and his father wanted him to be an engineer, instead, his activities led him to solitary confinement in Siberia, and to other adventures that all the world knows, to its cost.

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