1917: The Russian Revolutions and the Origins of Present-day Communism

by Leonard Schapiro

A leading authority on the Soviet Union examines the two revolutions of February and October 1917 which serve as a symbol to socialists and established communism in Russia

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Leonard Bertram Naman Schapiro was a British academic and scholar of Russian politics. He taught for many years at the London School of Economics, where he was Professor of Political Science with Special Reference to Russian Studies.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long looked for a good introductory book on the Russian Revolution, one of history's most pivotal and complicated events. The complications of course make that difficult. So too does the politics of the event and one's opinion of Lenin's influence, ability, and villainy. Most I have tried I abandoned due to either being imperceptible or due to a definite slant. Schapiro though avoids all of that, crafting a superb account of the basic events, never shying away from the ruthlessness of the Bolsheviks, while avoiding the dumber forms of Cold War hysterics. In particular his discussion of how Stalin was a divergence from Lenin, who nonetheless used the tools Lenin willfully created, is well thought out. I happy I at last found a book to fit the bill.

[Thomas Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the Russian Revolution. Very readable and because it is quite short its a very quick read. Nothing groundbreaking just a good and though provoking historical account.

[Ray Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without getting into detail, I will say that this book is a must read for people who want to get an idea of what happened in the Soviet Union and how things got started. The intriguing history about peasants and their hardships, their thirst for freedom and land, the various political entities fighting over power only to be usurped by the Bolshevik's heavy handed and ruthless tactics. Lenin and Trotsky's zeal with Stalin in the background preparing to take the mantle once Lenin was out of the picture. The book can get a little overwhelming at times when talking about the hundreds of committees that the Russians loved making and destroying. There was a couple odd grammatical issue towards the end that I noticed but nothing too bad. Overall, the book was quite "revolutionary" in my initial studies of Russia and is highly recommended.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive account of the two revolutions of 1917 and the reasons for the Bolshevik triumph in the second. Despite the bewildering complexity of the political groups and committees, Schapiro's book is a page-turner which clarifies some of the mythology around the dramatic events and personalities.

[colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

read 08.12.90