Reflections on the political aspects of Dostoevsky's philosophy and on the "Legend of the Grand Inquisitor" considered as political apocalypse that is, a vision that penetrates human agony, misery, and injustice to perceive their end in the radical transformation of society into a perfect existence of peace, justice, and harmony. Sandoz (political science, Louisiana State U.) gives the Legend context and meaning in relation to The Brothers Karamazov (in which it appears) as well as to history. He weaves Dostoevsky's intent, as expressed in the novelist's correspondence, into the political, theological, and philosophical background of pre-revolutionary Russia. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)