Books Like...
'Ten Days that Shook the World' by John Reed is a first-person account of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Reed, an American journalist, provides a unique perspective on the events unfolding in Russia during that time. The book captures the tension and excitement of the revolution, detailing the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, the storming of the Winter Palace, and the rise of the Bolsheviks to power. Reed's writing style is described as energetic and immediate, almost reading like a novel, as he recounts conversations, political machinations, and personal motives with vivid prose.
If you liked Ten Days that Shook the World, here are the top 100 books to read next:
'October: The Story of the Russian Revolution' by China Mieville is a detailed and engaging account of the events leading up to the October Revolution in Russia. Mieville's writing style, described as both novelistic and historically accurate, captures the tumultuous year of 1917 with a focus on the intra-Bolshevik and intra-left factionalism that shaped the outcome. The book delves into the complexities of the revolution, highlighting the pivotal moments when the Bolsheviks gained power amidst a chaotic political landscape.
Russia, a confluence of European and easterly Slavic traditions, is long gestated among debris. According to a key protagonist of 1917, Leon Trotsky, it is thrown up by ‘the western barbarians settled...- #2
Save:Throughout the history of human knowledge, there have been two conceptions concerning the law of development of the universe, the metaphysical conception and the dialectical conception, which form two...Renowned Pan-African and socialist theorist on the Bolshevik Revolution and its post-colonial legacy
In his short life, Guyanese intellectual Walter Rodney emerged as one of the foremost thinkers and activists of the anticolonial revolution, leading
... - #3
Save:'The Romanovs' by Simon Sebag Montefiore delves into the history of the Romanov dynasty in Russia, spanning over 300 years. Through detailed accounts, the author explores the rise and fall of the Romanov family, highlighting their reign, influence, and impact on Russian history. Montefiore paints a vivid picture of the Tsars and Tsarinas, showcasing their triumphs, struggles, and the turbulent times they navigated, from wars to revolutions. The narrative style combines historical facts with personal anecdotes, offering a comprehensive overview of the Romanov dynasty's rule and the complexities of Russian politics and society during that era.
Michael was in no rush to proceed to Moscow, but Moscow was desperate for him to arrive. In the civil war, the contestants for supremacy – aristocratic magnates, foreign kings, Cossack chieftains, imp... David Remnick's 'Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire' provides a journalist's account of the transitional period in Russia from 1988 to 1992, capturing the events leading up to the fall of the USSR. Remnick delves into the strikes, the takeover of the Russian government, the attempted putsch by the KGB, and other monumental incidents, offering a well-told story of those momentous years. Through a chronological overview, the book explores the reign of Gorbachev and portrays various leaders, journalists, KGB officers, bureaucrats, and dissidents, providing a thorough biographical view of the times.
The book offers insightful commentary on the historical, economic, and political forces that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Remnick's writing style, characterized by detailed reportage and engaging storytelling, immerses readers in the last days of the Soviets, offering a gripping and suspenseful read that sheds light on the end of perestroika and glasnost, the corruption of the state, and the societal upheavals that culminated in the downfall of the Communist Party.
On a dreary summer’s day, Colonel Aleksandr Tretetsky of the Soviet Military Prosecutor’s Office arrived at his latest work site: a series of mass graves in a birch forest twenty miles outside of the ...- #5
Save:This is the first time the scientific history of a great event has been written by a man who played a dominant part in it. It is the first time a revolution was ever retraced and explained by one of i..."During the first two months of 1917 Russia was still a Romanov monarchy. Eight months later the Bolsheviks stood at the helm. They were little known to anybody when the year began, and their leaders were still under indictment for state treason when
... - #6
Save:'Cuba Libre' by Elmore Leonard is a historical thriller set in 1898 during the Spanish-American War in Cuba. The story follows the protagonist Ben Tyler, who is involved in smuggling guns to Cuba disguised as a horse trader. Along the way, he meets various characters, including a mix of good and bad individuals. Ben Tyler finds himself in jail but is rescued by a young lady named Amelia, who hatches a plan to fake her own kidnapping for ransom money. The plot involves a battle, police intervention, and various parties vying for the money, leading to double-crossings and twists. captures the rough and deadly wartime environment in Cuba, with characters motivated primarily by money rather than idealism or patriotism.
Elmore Leonard's writing style in 'Cuba Libre' is praised for its taut and realistic dialogue, which adds depth to the characters and their interactions. The historical setting during the Spanish-American War provides a rich backdrop for the story, with a mix of Cuban and American characters navigating the turbulent events of the time. The plot starts off strong, with a good mix of action, intrigue, and historical details, but some readers feel that it loses momentum towards the latter part of the book.
TYLER ARRIVED WITH THE horses February eighteenth, three days after the battleship Maine blew up in Havana harbor. He saw buzzards floating in the sky the way they do but couldn't make out what they w... 'Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea's Struggle for Freedom' by author Stephen Gowans delves into the complex history of Korea, challenging traditional narratives and shedding light on the struggle for independence. Through meticulous research, Gowans presents a narrative that upsets imperialist beliefs and provides a fresh perspective on the Korean War. The writing style is described as passionate, well-researched, and compelling, offering readers a deep dive into the origins and history of Korea's fight for freedom.
Japan’s empire builders “first trained their guns on Korea,”2 wrote Louise Young, a US historian of modern Japan. The decision to build an empire was multifactorial, driven by a network of mutually re...Orlando Figes' 'A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 1891 - 1924' provides a comprehensive account of the Russian Revolution, spanning from the famine of 1891 to Lenin's death in 1924. Figes delves into the political and social intricacies of the era, highlighting the failures of Tsar Nicholas II and the rise of Bolshevik power under Lenin's leadership. The book explores the tumultuous events leading up to the revolution, the struggles of the Provisional Government, and the subsequent Civil War and its aftermath.
Figes weaves personal stories and anecdotes into the historical narrative, bringing the events to life and providing a vivid portrayal of the madness and decay of Imperialist Russia, the brutality of WWI, and the intense suffering of the Russian people. The author's writing style combines scholarly depth with readability, making the complex history accessible to readers and shedding light on the complexities of Russian society during this transformative period.
On a wet and windy morning in February 1913 St Petersburg celebrated three hundred years of Romanov rule over Russia. People had been talking about the great event for weeks, and everyone agreed that ...- #9
Save:'The Soviet Century' by Moshe Lewin is a comprehensive history of the USSR that delves into the political, social, and economic aspects of the Soviet system. The book avoids biased commentary and offers a balanced view of the Soviet Union's history, from its Leninist inception to the Gorbachev era. Lewin explores key themes such as bureaucracy, urbanization, and the mechanisms of control used by Soviet rulers, providing a detailed analysis of the Soviet regime's inner workings.
Lewin's writing style in 'The Soviet Century' is characterized by its in-depth exploration of neglected aspects of Soviet history, such as the role of bureaucracy and the long-term developments in society. The book challenges traditional narratives about the USSR, critiquing the focus on regime leaders and emphasizing the importance of understanding Soviet society as a whole. Through a meticulous examination of historical documents and recent Russian scholarship, Lewin offers a fresh perspective on the Soviet Union's complexities and challenges common myths about Stalinist rule.
The Russian editors of the collection that constitutes our main source on this subject write in their introduction that Lenin’s ideas on the place and role of nationalities in the state underwent a ma... - #10
Save:"The State and Revolution" by Vladimir Lenin is a political treatise that aims to clarify and connect the dots of Marxist theory, providing a coherent and clear message of the Communist system. Lenin discusses arguments against socialism, the steps to achieve full communism, what that would look like, and why socialism is necessary, especially after the European revolutions of the 19th century. The book delves into the creation and existence of states, the memory of revolutionary thinkers, and the withering of the state according to Marxian theory.
Lenin's writing style in "The State and Revolution" is praised for its clarity and cutting analysis that remains relevant even a century after its first publication in 1917. Readers appreciate Lenin's perspective, breakdown of Marx and Engels' writings, and the valuable insights provided on the necessity of socialism. The book is seen as a wonderful read that offers a mix of light-hearted commentary and valuable theory, making it a recommended read for those interested in understanding communism and leftist ideologies.
What is now happening to Marx's doctrine has occurred time after time in history to the doctrine of revolutionary thinkers and leaders of oppressed classes struggling for liberation. The oppressing cl...
