Alexandra Kollontaithe only woman member of the Bolshevik central committee and the USSRs first Minister of Social Welfareis known today as a historic contributor to the international womens movement, and as one of the first Bolshevik leaders to oppose the growth of the bureaucracy in the young socialist state. HerAlix Holt, in her careful, objective comments on the life and work of Miss Kollontai, has served her subject well. . . .She has given us this chance to become acquainted with the thought of a woman liberated before her time.