Reviews

Year One of the Russian Revolution by Peter Sedgwick, Victor Serge

msgtdameron's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

The great thing about reading Serge, especially his histories, is he was there.  Now he wasn't there in 1917.  He didn't arrive in Petrograd until 1919, but when he quote's Lenin or any one else, he is getting the quote from the secretary who was there.  The source may be secondary, but it was a man who was in the room and that is cool.  A lot of great information in this work for those who want to get past the West's version of the Red Revolution or Stalin's version of the same.  Well written, well researched, and full of information on the Russian Revolution.

jacobinreads's review against another edition

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.