This biography examines the life and intellectual development of E.H. Carr, a pivotal figure in 20th-century historical and international relations scholarship. Jonathan Haslam details Carr's formative experiences, including his work in the Foreign Office during World War I administering the Allied blockade of Soviet Russia and his attendance at the Paris peace talks. The book explores how Carr's firsthand observations of the Russian Revolution shaped his seminal work on Soviet Russia and his realist approach to International Relations. Haslam also investigates Carr's influential role as a Times leader writer during World War II and the subsequent academic ostracism he faced due to his views on the Soviet Union, culminating in a psychological portrait of a man navigating revolutionary ideals and intellectual realism.

Jonathan Haslam's biography of E.H. Carr is presented as a compelling psychological portrait, revealing the intimate connection between Carr's life experiences and his scholarly work. The book is noted for its detailed account of Carr's involvement in significant historical events and his influential, though often controversial, opinions. The narrative focuses on the creation of Carr's major historical works, particularly his 'History of Soviet Russia,' and the intellectual conflicts that defined his career. This work offers a nuanced understanding of a major historian grappling with the complexities of revolution and political realism.