Red Cavalry First by Isaac Babel (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Poor. 1st Edition. Red Cavalry - Isaac Babel First US Edition, Alfred A. Knopf 1929 A rather scarce first US edition of Babel's Red Cavalry stories following the Bolshevik's disastrous 1920 Polish campaign in which Babel participated as a war correspondent. The stories blend fact and fiction and highlight the brutality, violence, and anti-Semitism he witnessed. Babel was initially a true believer and propagandist for the revolution and throughout the work one senses his fervor sputtering into disillusionment over its means. Throughout the work, his Russian, Soviet, and Jewish identities entwine and contradict to create a unique voice. Red boards printed in black, red topstain, 8vo, pp. [2], i-iv, v-ix, [1], 1-2, 3-213, [3]. VG+ book, some rubbing to spine and extremities, slightly bumped corners, bookplate and prior ownership signature to front pastedown, small stamp affixed to rear pastedown, in scarce, but poor jacket fragments, lacking front panel of jacket, else complete but with significant tears to remaining joints, the rear panel is largely separate from spine, small chip near price on front flap. Babel is revered as one of the 20th century's greatest writers and a master of the short story. His work was deemed a bit too honest by the Soviet authorities and he was arrested and his manuscripts confiscated in 1939. He was murdered at the hands of the Soviet secret police in 1940. His published works were suppressed and slowly brought back to light in the 1950's. His final words recorded during his sham trial were, "I am asking for only one thing - let me finish my work.".