History

The Lincoln-Trotsky connection

A question for our amateur (or even professional) historians. What, if anything, is wrong with this sentence (from Tariq Ali’s review in The Guardian of two new books about Leon Trotsky)?:

Trotsky, as the founder and organiser of the Red Army, was undoubtedly ruthless in ensuring the victory of his side – as was Lincoln during the American civil war.

(Hat tip: eddie)