Three Revolutions: Russia, China, Cuba and the Epic Journeys that Changed the World

by Simon Hall

From the streets of Petrograd during the heady autumn of 1917, to Mao's stunning victory in October 1949, and Fidel's triumphant arrival in Havana, in January 1959, the history of the twentieth century was transformed in dramatic and profound ways by the Russian, Chinese and Cuban revolutions.

Here, the stories of these epoch-defining events are told together for the first time. At the heart of each revolution was an epic journey: Lenin's 1917 return to Russia from exile in Switzerland; Mao's 'Long March' of 1934-35, covering some 6,000 miles across China; and Fidel Castro's return to Cuba in 1956 following his exile in Mexico. Told in tandem with these are the corresponding journeys of three extraordinary journalists - John Reed, Edgar Snow and Herbert L. Matthews - whose electric testimony from the frontlines would make a decisive contribution to how these revolutions were understood in the wider world.

Together, these six journeys changed the course of the twentieth century. Here, in Simon Hall's masterful retelling, these exhilarating events are brought vividly to life. Featuring a stellar cast, extraordinary drama and an epic sweep, Three Revolutions raises fundamental questions about the nature of political power, the limits of idealism and the role of the journalist - questions that remain of utmost urgency today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, China, Russia, World History, Audiobook

400 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2025

About the author

Simon Hall, is best known as the BBC’s Crime Correspondent and the author of The TV Detective novels. He describes some of the remarkable events he has witnessed in his time as a television reporter.

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to three revolutions in three countries in response to the rising discontent of their citizens with the end resulted being the adoption of communism.

Hall also takes a look at three journalist who covered the revolutions and impacted how the world obtained and digested information about these revolutions. Overall, an interesting read.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had somewhat conflicting feelings about this book. It was overall, I felt, favorable toward Communism as an anti-colonial political strategy, which was often hard to read, knowing how authoritarian and oppressive the regimes of Russia, China and Cuba became. It devoted very little space to critique. But it wasn't about the aftermath of securing power; it focused instead on the hope and optimism of seizing control from a previous oppressive regime. At times it was a bit far off scope from its central thesis. But at its heart, this was a book about journalists, which I appreciated.

The book is a survey covering the moments when armed revolutions were successful over gradualism, focusing on Lenin, Mao and Castro. Then it focuses on the brave journalists who achieved unprecedented access to these three controversial figures at the nadir of their fame and promise.

Often these journalists seemed naive, manipulated by these charismatic figures to further their cause, more PR than objective journalism. But I appreciated how the book lamented that journalists since have turned into machines in pursuit of the impossible goal of objecivity, editors suppressing any color, humor and opinion in their copy. Maybe that is why today journalism faces such a severe trust gap. We need more activism in journalists and acknowledgment that reporters are human whose viewpoints will color their accounts. Even if they will sometimes piss people off.

The book covers the journeys of three very different journalists and their approaches to their work, as they all become emotionally invested in the story and cover that in different ways. They were complicated figures, just like the Communist leaders they were covering.

Overall, despite the general flavor of apologism for Communism, I found this a fascinating survey and a little-seen positive portrayal of revolutions at the height of their promise. Never mind that armed men with guns were just replacing one dictator for another in the long run.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dovide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the second book by Simon Hall I’ve absolutely adored, Three Revolutions is a masterfully written and gripping narrative history. Hall has a style that places you directly in the events; even knowing the broad histories, I was captivated by a story that reads like high drama, full of pathos and colourful characters—a far cry from the bland, lifeless accounts found elsewhere.

The central premise is fascinating: Hall explores each revolution through an epic journey—Lenin’s “sealed train” to Russia, Mao’s Long March, and Castro’s voyage back to Cuba—told alongside the corresponding missions of three extraordinary journalists: John Reed, Edgar Snow, and Herbert L. Matthews. These men risked everything to document the upheavals, and their electric testimony popularized the movements. I loved this immersive format, which drops the reader into the perspective of a reporter on the ground.

While those familiar with the revolutions may not find much new analysis, Hall’s writing is nonetheless brilliant and conveys the grandeur of these momentous events. This book is ideal for readers new to one or all of these revolutions, offering an approachable, human, and fascinating look at three upheavals—and the journalists who covered them—that shook the twentieth century.

(@Connor I know I keep throwing dozens of recommendations at you, but THIS is actually the book I’d recommend to start with for the Cuban and Russian Revolutions. Last time I switch I swear 😂)

[Ollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

History told through the lens of those who made it, and those who reported it. A brilliant look into journalistic revolution reporting, proving snapshots into both revelationary and journalist lives.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for an advance copy of this book that looks at the lives of three revolutionaries who faced long a journey before securing their power and changing history, and the lives of their chroniclers who faced a long journey into blame and exile for their writing.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. And that is true of history, also. Small steps can lead to nations falling, ideas becoming popular, and the freshness and new start that revolution promises, slowly becoming something different, maybe even darker. These journeys leave quite a mark on the people who undertook them, from the leaders down to the lowest follower. Chroniclers too can be changed by these journeys, beginning with hopes and ideas, and ending up being called fellow travellers and having to leave all they know. Three Revolutions; Russia, China, Cuba and the Epic Journeys that Changed the World by Simon Hall is a look at six men, three world changers, and three writers, who traveled different paths, had different results, and were changed by their treks.

Three revolutionaries, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong and Fidel Castro and three writers, John Reed, Edgar Snow and Herbert Matthews are discussed in this book, a history of the times they affected and for the writers how the times affected them. The book works as both history and biography, looking at how events and consequences, and how the writers shaped the image of the revolutionaries. The book begins with Lenin, in exile in Switzerland given a chance by the German government in hopes to end Russia's involvement in World War I. Reporting on events was John Reed an American sympathetic to the Russian people, who not only wrote about the revolution, but fought along side. The book moves to China and the Long March, the retreat by the Chinese Communists from their enemies that covered over 6,000 miles, and solidified Mao's hold on the party. Mao was featured prominently in articles by Edgar Snow, whose writings helped Mao secure his power base. The final section deals with Fidel his return from exile in Mexico kicked off the Cuban revolution. Herbert Matthews a reporter with the Times made Castro a cool revolutionary, with a look and a talent that gave the uprising a public relations push that gained him supporters, and a mystique that later changed the way the world thought of him.

An interesting book filled with travels, history and a lot of interesting facts. Hall is a good writer, able to write about three charismatic people in such a way that the information seems fresh and new. Little things like Lenin wanted to pretend to be mute as a disguise, which was laughably stopped by a fellow revolutionary pointing out what happened if Lenin spoke in his sleep. Or Mao and his brother having their own rooms in their house, which was unprecedented. Hall does a good job discussing the chroniclers, those almost true believers who followed the story, in many ways became part of the story, and paid for it with ther own exile. The book has a strong narrative style and doesn't stop moving, even though it covers the lives of six different people. A very different kind of history, but one I quite enjoyed.

[Guilherme Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not only a book about the revolutions. If you want to read to understand exactly how the revolution took place and everything that happened, you may find it superficial, BUT, this is a great book about narratives and how (HI)stories are built. Super relevant for the world we live in right now. It tells you how each revolution ended up to be known in the west, and discusses all the biases of the time, the strategic approach of the leaders and how, as important as what actually happens in the field, is how you build the story that will affect the opinions of the peoples.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book, with an at times ovempathetic view of events and journalists covering them.

Three Revolutions is a good starting point for learning about the Russian, Chinese, and Cuban revolutions.

There is a lot of pages dedicated to the journalists writing about them, which is interesting, but one wonders whether the immersion that the book offers would be better used focused around the leaders themselves.

The chronology is at times jumpy and out of order, but the author clearly has an eye for the 'top line'.

Overall, a decent read on a few interesting topics.

[⭕ slt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief stories of three journalists who went in to see, live and one even fight alongside revolutionaries of the 20th century. This is a book more focused on journalism but also has some information about the contexts each journalist worked in, so also describe very briefly the Lenin's journey back to Russia and October revolution, Mao's long march and Fidel's guerrilla fighters in Sierra Maestra.
A good read.

[Ben Thibeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to thee pivotal revolutions of the 20th century. In combing the stories of the revolutionary leaders and those of journalists witnessing the events, Hall has created a compelling and interesting book out of material that is too often dry and hard to read.

[Heather G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Well done! A fascinating look at 3 revolutions that changed so much in the world. Not dry, and very compelling.

[Tom Quante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on how three communist superpowers came to be and their cult of personality

[Lily Dibb-Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent book dictating the three journalists who influenced the three revolutions of the 20th century. A deep dive into communism around the world. loved it.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly interested in part 1 so I found it long and boring but part 2 and part 3 especially were good

[Malcolm France · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readable reflection on the leaders of political movements and the courageous journalists who delivered 3 of the greatest scoops of the 20th century.