The Russian Revolution

A very good overview of the 1917 Revolution in Russia and the major events through the Bolshevik takeover in October. This book is written in a fast moving narrative style, and covers the main events, trends and people in an informative and entertaining way. I especially liked the the chapter "The Rise of Marxism" which described the the development of socialist and Marxist thought, and the impact this thinking had on the various Russian revolutionaries. Mr. Goldston ably lays out the origins and meaning of socialism, dialectical materialism, Marxism, communism, and gives the historical settings in which these ideas developed. All in a manner that even someone unfamiliar with these ideas can follow and understand.In the epilogue titled "War and Peace" he examines the after effects of the Revolution and the origins of the Cold War. Given that the book was written in 1966, his belief that "If we recall the patience and fortitude with which this people endured an old and seemingly eternal tyranny, and the resourcefulness and courage with which they shattered it, we can remain confident that they will eventually triumph over newer oppressions [the communist totalitarianism] as they continue to 'break a path into the future'"...is amazingly optimistic and prescient of the "revolution" which in the early 1990's led to a democratic, open society and government and the beginnings of a market oriented economy. If you are looking for exhaustive detail and footnotes, this is not the book. However, if you want a thorough overview of the Russian Revolution of 1917 in a small (200 pages), quickly read and easily digestible format, then it will be difficult to top this book. It does include a bibliography and suggested additional reading. Highly recommended.