Guyana's Cheddi Jagan (1918-1997) is arguably the most controversial political leader in the history of the English-speaking Caribbean. He was the first politician of Indian ancestry to lead his country, and was the only major leader in the Region who not only adopted Marxism, but fervently embraced the then Soviet system as the instrument and example for the transformation of colonies like his native British Guiana, from poverty and underdevelopment.

Now comes a major new biography of the enigmatic Jagan by acclaimed prize-winning author historian, Clem Seecharan. His study differs from previous works that focused on the subversion of Jagan by the US and Britain. Instead, Seecharan explores the nature of Jagan's mental universe to unearth the elements and experiences that contributed to his worldview and a dogmatism that kept him in the wilderness for most of his political career.