This book, first published in 1979, examines the little-studied forerunners of the Russian revolutionary movement - the Russian section of the First International. It looks at the social democratic and Marxist Russians in the International, and the activities of the Russian revolutionaries in the Paris Commune.
Focusing on Svetozar Markovic's multifaceted role as a socialist pioneer in the Balkans, this study delves into his contributions as a social reformer and journalist. It utilizes original Russian and Serbian sources to provide an intellectual biography and a historical analysis of Serbian socialism, challenging previous biased accounts. The author explores the intellectual conflicts faced by the Balkan educated classes in the 19th century, illustrating how Markovic aimed to rejuvenate communal traditions while integrating Marxist and Russian revolutionary ideas.