A study of the organizational growth of the armed forces of the Soviets, of the component groups within them, and of the conflicts and conflict situations among the groups -- adapted from the preface.

The heritage -- Bolshevik forces before November 1917 -- The early days of the Soviet regime -- The Red Army during the civil war -- Kronstadt -- The birth of a doctrine -- The reorganization of the Red Army -- Frunze's army -- The impact of industrialization -- Toward the greatest army in the world.