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A review by jacobinreads
Year One of the Russian Revolution by Victor Serge1, Victor Serge
4.0
Sober, clear-eyed, and sympathetic; Serge's account combines historical detail, analysis, and an understanding of the underlying mood and sentiments that motivate revolutionary actions. Serge writes historical portraiture of the leading figures of the Russian Revolution borne of his first-hand experience, but doesn't dwell solely on anecdotes. His account is often compelling and sincere, but one can sometimes lose the forest for the trees and vice versa, depending on the author's mood in a given chapter; however, taken as a whole, the book gives a relatively fulsome picture of the dramas of the early Russian Revolutionary period.
His tragic post-script memorialises what he views as the dead (or dying) hopes of the Bolshevik ideals under Stalin, but puts forward a hopeful vision that inspires, even as it was disproven in the course of the 20th century. It should be read by Left radicals of all tendencies.
Recommended for those with an interest in revolutionary history, scientific socialism, or who wish to develop a keen eye for the journalistic style of history Serge employs.
His tragic post-script memorialises what he views as the dead (or dying) hopes of the Bolshevik ideals under Stalin, but puts forward a hopeful vision that inspires, even as it was disproven in the course of the 20th century. It should be read by Left radicals of all tendencies.
Recommended for those with an interest in revolutionary history, scientific socialism, or who wish to develop a keen eye for the journalistic style of history Serge employs.