Some of those books describe serfdom and the russian culture better than many history books can. Of course this is a just fraction of the great books on russia, but they are a. Best russian history books this is a list of the greatest russian history books. A history, that looks at the russian revolution over the span of one hundred years, from 1891 to 1991. During the first two months of 1917 russia was still a romanov monarchy. Oct 30, 2017 the book is one of the most complete tellings of the russian revolution, but at over 900 pages, its a daunting tome. Simon sebag montefiores recommended reading on russia and. The definitive, singlevolume history of the russian revolution, from an awardwinning scholar in the russian revolution, acclaimed historian sean mcmeekin traces the events which ended romanov rule, ushered the bolsheviks into power, and introduced communism to the world. A history before beginning reading any indepth book such as this. Unconcerned about russias ultimate fate, they were pursuing their. The russian revolution toronto public library overdrive. My goodness, some of these books helped propel the russian revolution. This display, guestcurated by cuny professor susan smithpeter, draws from these collections to take a look back at one of the most significant moments in russian history 100 years ago. As such, there is a vast range of literature on the topic, much of it involving specific methodologies and approaches.
Sa smith is an oxford historian who has published books on. Sep 29, 2012 the book red petrograd is a well reserached and detailed study of the impact of the russian revolution at factory level in petrograd and deals in particular with the factory councils implementation of workers control of production in conditions of economic chaos and in relation to syndicalist and bolshevik ideology. Stories and poems from the russian revolution edited by boris dralyuk, published by pushkin press. Best precollapse book on russian revolution i strongly recommend reading richard pipes short title, communism. The first one give us a good analysis of the happenings and causes that leaded firstly to february 17 and later to october 17. The russian revolution was a period of political and social revolution across the territory of the russian empire, commencing with the abolition of the monarchy in 1917, and concluding in 1923 after the bolshevik establishment of the soviet union at the end of the civil war. Nov 28, 2016 what you need to know first to understand the russian revolution read this first in a series of columns chronicling what led to that 1917 cataclysm the romanov family between 19 and 1914. The french revolution created turmoil across the whole of europe, via a series of events which continue to captivate and inspire massive debate. An undeniably valuable history of the russian revolution. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Simon sebag montefiores recommended reading on russia and its revolutions posted on 3rd february 2017 by sally campbell our nonfiction book of the month for february, the romanovs 161918 by simon sebag montefiore, is an exceptional example of this years reflections on the 100 years that have passed since the climactic russian. The bolsheviks come to power alexander rabinowitchs now classic account is the definitive scholarly rebuke to those who continue to see. It was the 1917 russian revolution that transformed the scale of the communist manifesto, making it the key text for socialists everywhere. Two definitive works on the early days of the russian revolution, now collected in one captivating volume.
The book is one of the most complete tellings of the russian revolution, but at over 900 pages, its a daunting tome. It serves as the most vital and inspiring record of the russian revolution to date. Sukhanov, a leftmenshevik hostile to lenin, was actually. In three whys of the russian revolution, the eminent scholar of russian history, richard pipes, confronts the challenge of assessing the causes and course of the russian revolutions from a postcold war perspective. In this definitive work, now reissued in a single volume, trotskys true stature. History of the russian revolution by leon trotsky this passionate, partisan and beautifully written account by a. Jun 06, 2017 the russian revolution a new history by sean mcmeekin basic books.
Mar 10, 2017 revolution threatens and inna feldman is drawn into intrigue concerning rasputin and also a love triangle in a pageturning novel. The fact that he dedicates the russian revolution to the victims tells you all you need to know about his perspective on the subject. Please tell us more about six weeks in russia in 1919 there are only a couple of wellknown eyewitness accounts of the revolution. Leaflets of the russian revolution new translations of the most important documents from socialist parties, soviets, and worker militias in petrograd during 1917. Originally published in three parts, trotskys masterpiece is collected here in a single volume. The best books to read on the russian revolution, a. Top 10 books about the russian revolution books the guardian. A new history recalibrates the villains of the russian revolution. What you need to know first to understand the russian revolution. Although his sharp narrative may lack some of the flair and warmth of schama, doyle is engaging, precise and accurate, offering excellent insights into the material. The russian revolution of 1917 was one of the most explosive political events of the 20th century.
The russian revolution started in 1917 john reeds ten days that. A personal record by nn sukhanov this book was necessary reading for all early historians of. The russian revolution does not lend itself to definitive writing. Washington post book world hails it as a gripping read. Apr 28, 2017 from the fall of russias last tsar to the rise of the first communist state, this definitive exhibition takes a fresh look at the russian revolution 100 years on. He tries seriously to suggest that russian civil war was nothing of the sort. The following selection combines introductory and general histories with a few more specialized works. That it was, in reality, a war initiated by lenin to spread communism as far as the red army could reach globally. Simply put, this is the best overall book on the subject of the russian revolution. The russian revolution is a monster of a book 842 pages not including endnotes.
Richard pipes book about the russian revolution has two parts. Top ten books about the russian revolution historia. The russian revolution totally reshaped society, and the writers of the day responded to it with a mixture of exhilaration, horror and hope, some changing their views over their lifetimes. If you are very interested in the russian revolution, this book is the definitive account. Sep 06, 2017 the last of the tsars is authoritative, definitive, and tells a compelling story oxford historian robert service examines the overthrow of the russian tsar nicholas ii in february 1917.
Russian revolution books meet your next favorite book. The definitive visual history of the early years of the soviet union. Informed general readers will enjoy this glimpse into history. On the afternoon of july 4, 1917, thousands of soldiers, sailors and workers converged on a former. A history of the russian revolution, leon trotsky about 900 pages long, this book is an imposing firsthand account of the russian revolution, remarkable for having been composed by one of its chief protagonistsproof, if need be, that leon trotsky was a formidable writer amongst other things. Praise world revolution is a key part of the revolutionary marxist tradition and well worth reading today.
Many of those books actually have a lot to do with russian history. American perspectives the new york public librarys russian materials are an important part of its rich collection on slavic history. By far the best singlevolume history of the french revolution, doyles book is suitable for all levels of interest. This book, released to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the russian revolution, reveals, from the perspective of one of its central actors, the revolutions profoundly democratic, emancipatory character. Pipes explains that for 70 years prior to the 1990s. I would, in addition, recommend simon sebag montefiores the romanovs.
A personal record by nn sukhanov this book was necessary reading for all early historians of the revolution. Incredibly, red star over russia manages to be both entertaining and. Library journal starred rappaport creates a portrait of the russian revolution from the points of view of outsiders who happened to be in petrograd at the time. The best books on the russian revolution five books expert. I actually disagree with removing the fiction books. Douglas smiths new biography of rasputin is the definitive study of their. Eight months later the bolsheviks stood at the helm. All our russian revolution reading is 50% off until jan 1. Mcmeekin is a reliable guide to a complex story and the book moves. The definitive, singlevolume history of the russian revolution, from an award winning. May 30, 2017 the definitive, singlevolume history of the russian revolution, from an awardwinning scholar in the russian revolution, acclaimed historian sean mcmeekin traces the events which ended romanov rule, ushered the bolsheviks into power, and introduced communism to the world. Figes also has a condensed version titled revolutionary russia.
The best known is probably john reeds ten days that shook the world, but ive gone with ransomes book because ransome is my man, and because whereas reeds book is a highly imaginative view of the 1917 revolution. Ten days that shook the world by john reed, doctor zhivago by boris pasternak, history of the russian revolution by. Mcmeekin represents the same bewildered view that many russian aristocrats had toward the revolution in 191its a view from the top and a view in isolation. Between 1917 and 1922, russia underwent a complete and irreversible transformation. Americas foremost authority on russian communismthe author of the definitive studies the russian revolution and russia under the bolshevik regimenow addresses the enigmas of that countrys 70year enthrallment with communism. The last of the tsars is authoritative, definitive, and. Thus one could say the book is reactionary because it goes so far as to deny cause itswithin russian society for either the revolution that overthrew the tsar or the later soviet revolution. Not only does it demonstrate impeccable scholarship, but has a definite point of view. A century after the bolsheviks seized power for communism, tariq ali chooses some of the best. The russian revolution audiobook, written by sean mcmeekin. Petrograd, russia, 1917 a world on the edge by helen rappaport 2017, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Between 1917 and 1922, russia underwent a complete and irreversible.
On the centenary of this upheaval, this volume pairs marx and engelss most famous work with lenins own revolutionary manifesto, the april theses,which lifts politics from the level of everyday banalities to become an artform. Three whys of the russian revolution by richard pipes. In the russian revolution sean mcmeekin argues that the bolshevik. The violent revolution marked the end of the romanov dynasty and centuries of russian imperial. Top 10 books about the russian revolution books the.
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