Storming the Gates: How the Russian Revolution Changed the World

by Brian Becker, Richard Becker (Contributor), Jodi Dean (Contributor)

The Russian Revolution ‘shook the world’ in 1917. It was the first time a socialist revolution had taken hold, putting the workers in power, seizing private property and society’s productive capacity. This was the basis for a rational, cooperative society. That revolution became the nemesis of the United States and other imperialist countries, which would not rest until its gains were undone. The Bolshevik Revolution inspired anti-colonial revolutions and national liberation movements around the world, lending solidarity and material assistance to them. As it emerged to be the second-largest economy in the world, the first to put a satellite and human into space, it became a valid counterweight to claims of capitalism’s superiority. Storming the Gates looks inside the revolution, from the early years to the last — not as a neutral observer, but a partisan for revolutionary change. Recounting the vast accomplishments, global impact, loyal followers, challenges and shortcomings, this book remembers ‘the Soviet Union not as the end of communism but as its first grand, real-life experiment.’ Looking to the future, Storming the Gates examines what role a Bolshevik-type party can have in the 21st Century, and how it can once again shape history. “The single biggest event that shaped global politics in the 20th century was the Russian Revolution of 1917, which gave birth to the Soviet Union. The first socialist government’s existence was the pivot for world events in history’s most turbulent and dynamic century. The destruction of the Soviet Union 74 years later in 1991 has been the dominant factor shaping global politics ever since.” —from Storming the Gates

Genres: History, Soviet Union, Nonfiction, Russia, Politics

170 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2017

Reviews

[robiepopipo]

auf jeden fall lesenswert, dadurch dass die kapitel von verschiedenen autoren geschrieben wurden war es interessant zu beobachten wie jeder einzelne von ihnen den zerfall der soviet union bewertet..viele verschiedene eindrücke kann manchmal etwas überfordernd sein wenn es darum geht nicht den faden zu verlieren

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for socialists and progressives who are interested in learning the lessons the 20th century have to offer to contemporary fighters for change. The rebuttal against the "liberal" author concerning Soviet support of African liberation struggles and African Americans is very timely and powerful, and the final piece by Jodi Dean about the historical and present need for party organization to unite our movements for political power was convincing and inspiring!

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did a great job explaining the history of the ussr and the issues that it faced and how it tackled those issues. I really enjoyed this book and it’s simple historical socialist approach, but the last chapter seemed way over my head. After reading it twice I’m not sure if I fully understand what it was trying to tell me (something about the actuality metaphysical certainty of the revolution) aside from that, this book was well thought out and very informative, if not a tiny bit redundant

[lex ngu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of articles about the russian revolution, lenin, the ussr, and its global impact. great job party for socialism and liberation!!! @pslweb

[kz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative, I love the Bolsheviks and USSR in general, rip big time

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew this was a collection of mostly previous published essays but even expecting repetition, it was a bit much. There are some interesting essays but it's bogged down with some truly awful writing in the first couple essays and questionable historical claims in pursuit of ideology. The subject matter deserves better.

[Greg Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

represents a genuine revelation on the past and the future; very worthwhile study of one of the biggest events in history and its continuing reverberations; a collection of essays and speeches, mainly by American authors; begets a new positivity to the fall of the Soviet Union