In Defense of October: A debate on the Russian Revolution

by John Rees

The revolutions in Eastern Europe in 1989, though welcomed by many socialists, have allowed the right wing to argue that the end of Stalinism means the end of all socialism. Even among those left wingers who welcome the end of the Stalinist regimes there has been great confusion over how much of the socialist tradition it is still possible to defend.
The October revolution of 1917 is still the historical linchpin of such debates. To what extent were the Bolsheviks to blame for the degeneration of the revolution? What about the Red Terror, the Cheka and Kronstadt? Did Lenin lead to Stalin? John Rees's 'In Defence of October' reviews what socialists have been saying about the October revolution. He mounts a defence of the tradition that arose from the October revolution and shows it was crushed by the Stalinist counter-revolution.
When John Rees's 'In Defence of October' was originally published in International Socialism, it drew responses from some of the best known figures on the left—Robert Service (author of a biography of Lenin), Sam Farber (author of Before Stalinism) and Robin Blackburn (editor of New Left Review). The full debate, including John Rees's reply, is published here in one volume for the first time.

'...a brilliant polemic that draws on a rich array of primary and scholarly sources...an indispensable source for anyone concerned with the issues'
EPAUL LE BLANC, author of Lenin and the Revolutionary Party

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

137 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

My entire rating for this book is entirely for John Rees' really stellar three dimensional essay on the importance of October 1917, Lenin's contributions to the Revolution, and the dissimilarity between the Lenin headed Bolsheviks and the truncated Stalinist bureaucracy that emerged after Lenin's death.
Rees' criticisms of Lenin are measured and fair but always tempered by the situation Lenin and the Bolsheviks were facing. He also dismisses the Kautskian critique since adopted by many on the left and right that the Revolution was somehow 'premature.' That the Revolution occurred at all is ample enough evidence to dismiss that argument but Rees rightly points out that Kautsky wasn't really opposed to any sort of 'maturity' as he opposed the German Revolution as well.
By comparison the other essays are emaciated repetitions of Cold War propaganda: 'The Bolsheviks were bad because they killed people...' taking snippets of dialogue and events without context, glorifying the brutal Whites, Greens and Kronstadt sailors.
Thankfully their essays are short.

[Alfieridley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains an interesting range of perspectives

[Possible History · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a strong work in making you think about the October Revolution, and I would highly recommend it to all interested in the subject, even - and perhaps especially - those inherently inclined to condemn the entire October Revolution and Bolshevism out of hand. The reason I have elected to give the work 4 stars rather than 5 though, is because I was left wanting by the work of Rees within the book. While on the whole he is convincing, giving many good points, arguments, sources and food for thought, he to me has a tendency to skirt around the fundamental questions. (especially in his second piece, which is a response to the other authors included) His first piece in this book is long, accounting more than half the pages, and most is solid. Yet, the conclusion - the condemnation of "Revolution led to Lenin, led to Stalin" was incredibly short and to me convincing. His allusions to critique about Stalin and Opposition to him from other Bolsheviks is left to the imagination. All I could gather is Lenin (in a greatly reduced physical state) mounting a desperate resistance, and the Left Opposition holding back Stalin in some form until 1928.

Despite, all men features have an interesting perspective, which I invite you all to read for yourself. Included in the comments I have also posted my full steam-of-conscious while reading the work. Keep in mind, I wrote as I read without the power of hindsight, and barely re-read to edit my work.

[Neon Green Alien 👾👽 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly easy to read, finished it in about 2.5 days. I found the first chapter not to be much of a "defense" more of a description of what happens, and I found I was waiting for it to happen. The author also clearly dislikes Rosa Luxemburg a lot for some reason. The second chapter by Robert Service was my favourite and the last chapter by John Rees, was the absolute worst. Will definitely explore the other authors.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for what it is. Oversimplified in some respects.