Lenin wrote this book in 1917, while he was hiding from the Russian secret police. He did this because there was lettle awareness or thought between the state and revolution during the period of the Second International (1889-1914). This work by Lenin is important to communist thinking and the Marxist concept of the state which is clearly and consisely expressed in this book. All through this work Lenin cites and examines Marx and Engle's writings, to explain and support his own point of view. Without doubt this is a classic work and will give the reader important concepts in the theory of Marxist-Leninism. A Collector's Edition.