DOC The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism (USA only edition) by Bertrand Russell in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An excellent review of Communism in the early days of the Soviet UnionBy CustomerAn excellent description of the state of Communism in Russia while Lenin was still alive. Russell; who was himself a communist; travelled to Russia and saw first-hand both the successes and failures off the October Revolution. It's clear from reading this book that Bolshevism is not the only firm of Communism; and Russell makes it clear why Bolshevism is unworkable in the advanced capitalist countries.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Insightful essay from a brilliant philosopherBy SheaRussell's sympathetic yet critical view of Bolshevism and the Russian revolution is clear and concise. He approaches early Russian Communism as a skeptic; analyzing what the success of Bolshevism would actually achieve; and whether the methods employed by the Bolsheviks are likely to lead to those ends. He attacks fanaticism; but is understanding of the harsh circumstances that threatened to undo the revolution. Augmented by descriptions of his meetings with key participants such as Lenin and Trotsky; this treatise is a must read for skeptics; political theorists and historians alike.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Russell's accurate forecast.By Sean CurleyBertrand Russell (1872-1970) was one of the 20th century's premiere logicians and philosophers; and; from 1930 until his death; the 3rd Earl Russell (his grandfather was Lord John Russell; the famous Victorian Era politician); despite this upbringing in the highest ranks of the aristocracy; he was also a dedicated socialist and; on embarking on a 1919 tour of the Soviet Union; extremely sympathetic to the Communist cause. His reputation was already eminent; and he was granted wide access; including a sit-down with Lenin himself. This slim volume is the result of Russell's journey to the revolutionary land.Despite his initial predispositions; Russell's early impression of the Soviet Union was not a favourable one. "Practice and Theory" (a telling title; as he's far more interested in the practice than theoretical concerns) is a remarkably prescient work. For those familiar with Russell's philosphy (for instance; "The Problems of Philosophy"); many of his concerns with Bolshevism as an ideology are similar to why he view philosophy as a valuable thing: namely; philosophy discourages too much certainty; and Russell identifies in Bolshevism an ideological commitment and rigidity similar to the emergence of Islam in the 7th century. Likewise; he is intensely skeptical of the idea of violent revolution.Many left-wing intellectuals would continue to be sympathetic to Russia until the de-Stalinization period in the 1950s (much as many conservative intellectuals in the same period would show fascist leanings); but Russell was among the first to zero in on the flaws of the movement. The book is both an interesting historical curio and a timeless dissection of the problems of political ideology.