The Russian Revolution of 1917 inspired the workers of the world while stoking fury among its ruling classes. When Victor Serge arrived in Petrograd in 1919, he found a revolution under siege. The Soviet regime was surrounded by ruthless armies of the old tsarist order and its imperialist backers, determined to punish the Russian proletariat for daring to challenge capitalism.
With these essays, Serge offers a vivid first-hand account of these dark hours. He defends the fledgling workers’ state from its critics on the left and paints a picture of a revolution which was worth fighting for.
Victor Serge (1890–1947) was a revolutionary journalist, historian and novelist. Originally an anarchist, his experience of the revolution in Russia led him to join the Bolsheviks. He subsequently worked for the Communist International, helping to spread revolution in Europe. His prominent role in opposing Stalin’s rise to power ultimately resulted in his expulsion from the Soviet Union.