Status Updates From عشرة أيام هزت العالم

Book's limitations most apparent with civil war's beginning; we mostly vaguely hear of fighting; anything witnessed is minor skirmish, then suddenly we're seeing mass graves. Reed does no research beyond what he directly sees/hears about, making this book only supplementary to other reading. Great for sense of mood on the street, capturing atmosphere of tension/confusion, Duma/Soviet assemblies, etc. Sparse otherwise

Surreal, funny as humour shifts & no one knews who they're employed by. Lots of anecdotes as Reed moves through city like this, strolling past scores of armed troops, men with guns asked who they serve & they're unsure. Empty streets. Forces beginning to mass; wondering how Bolsheviks possibly gain control of country over counter-revs. No overview explanation. Knowing bloodshed that's coming builds anticipation.