A Brief History of 1917: Russia's Year of Revolution - Softcover

Roy Bainton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841199508 ISBN 13: 9781841199504

Publisher: Robinson, 2005

Synopsis

'Lenin? Yes, he was a good man -- he ran the whole country -- and he did it on a worker's wages.' The view of a Red Army veteran is in contrast to that of a young Russian entrepreneur: 'Lenin and Trotsky were totally evil -- they turned my country into a nightmare.' The Revolution of 1917 remains controversial though much is known about its key political players. Roy Bainton tells the compelling, human side, via the poignant stories told to him by ordinary families, their hopes transformed into fear. This paperback book has 316 pages and measures: 19.7 x 13 x 2cm

About this title

Book Description:

One momentous year in Russia through the eyes of ordinary folk

Synopsis:

The words are those of a working class Red Army veteran and they are in stark contrast to the opinion of a 34-year-old Russian entrepreneur: "Lenin and Trotsky were totally evil men - they turned my country into a nightmare..." What was it like to be a worker in Petrograd or Moscow before the Revolution? How much did a tram driver's family know about Bolshevism? What was the price of a loaf of bread or a pair of boots? Who kept the power stations running, the telephone exchanges, bakeries, farms and hospitals? How did it feel to be a stockbroker one day, then a forced labourer the next? The Great War tore at the nation's heart, and Russia's autocracy dined and danced while the people starved. The Revolution of 1917 has remained a controversial political and academic battleground - much has been written about Lenin, Trotsky and Kerensky, their politics relentlessly analysed. Yet there is also a compelling human side, and Roy Bainton tells it, not only through the staggering bravado of revolutionary politicians, but through the poignant stories recounted to him by ordinary families whose hopes and aspirations were soon turned to fear.

About this edition

• Publisher: Robinson
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1841199508
• ISBN 13: 9781841199504
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336