A system of government in which citizens share labor and property, Communism has been practiced in a number of different ways through the ages. The ancient Greek and medieval Utopian visions included an ideal society, while twentieth century Communism took a more sinister turn with the regimes of Lenin, Stalin, and Mao Tse-tung. The international scope of the Cold War pitted superpowers against one another in a struggle that could have ended the world. An authoritative guide on Communism''s roots and practices, this timely volume investigates the historical context of this form of government, along with party platforms, images, and speeches.