For one brief period Russia had a democratic government, lasting only eight months from February to October, 1917. The fatal blunder of this democracy was to force its war-weary troops into the summer offensive of 1917. In this comprehensive study, Heenan demonstrates how the summer offensive created the right climate for the Bolshevik victory. This well-written, well-documented book sheds light on a key episode in the Russian Revolution. Students of Russian history, East European politics, revolution, or military affairs will welcome this important book.