A Brief History of Communism: The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Empire

by Anatole Konstantin

This book is the story of the men who believed they knew how to create an ideal world, and in its name did not hesitate to sacrifice millions of innocent lives. On the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution in 1917, it is important to understand how a small band of Communists was able to take over a country of 150 million, and how, seventy-four years later, the huge Soviet Empire they had created, was exploded by three inebriated men. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has said that the demise of the Soviet Empire in 1991 was the greatest tragedy of the twentieth century. This book aims to show that the greatest tragedy of the century was the creation of this Empire in 1917. The book is written in conversational language by Anatole Konstantin, the author of A Red Boyhood, Growing up under Stalin , in which he describes his own experience of life in a Communist country.

Genres: History, Politics

242 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2017

Reviews

[Vivek V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why would a thought of societal equality degenerate into a human catastrophe? Karl Marx would never have thought that unshackling the chains of feudalism would mean creating new ones even more difficult to take off. Did the idea of collective ownership get distorted or was it impractical in the first place? Read the complete review here https://wp.me/p6rxcY-pz

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually thought this was a very solid book, with the rise (and fall) of communism.
I wish it was a bit longer, but then again it's called a brief history.

I also hoped there would've been a bit more from communism in other countries. Generally the countries that also had/have communism were mentioned for just a few sentences.

[Maxx Goddeht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by local librarian.
Our rural library is extremely small probably 1200 square ft! and it is my go to choice of the libraries that are local. I requested a copy of The Communist Manifesto (which he obtained for me). My librarian suggested that I read this book prior to reading The Communist Manifesto so that I could put things in context. GREAT suggestion! Easy to read, backfills info quite easily and is matter of fact without a bunch of opinion. Thank you!!