Sandra Bloodworth gives a comprehensive overview of the revolution, giving insight into details usually overlooked in histories of these important events. Using many quotes from contemporary workers, politicians, revolutionaries and journalists, Bloodworth paints a vivid picture of workers self-organizing at the center of the revolution: working women organizing a general strike which kicked off the February Revolution; workers taking control of every factory and every social service so that the October Revolution became nothing more than a formality of kicking out the Provisional Government and recognizing the authority of the Workers Councils; and workers organizing new systems of equality after the revolution such as abortion on demand, free childcare, free access to contraceptions, communal kitchens, and much much more. Quotes from Lenin and Trotsky as they guide the revolution and the revolutionary fervor of the masses show how important a skilled and prepared revolutionary party is - contrasted with the brilliant but unprepared Communist Party of Germany in the 1918 revolution there.

The tragedy of Stalins rise to power and the mutation from Socialism to State Capitalism is also deftly covered. The foundation that was laid for this tragedy to occur, including the sabotage of Russian industry by capitalists, and the economic forces rising from the civil war and the failure of the German Revolution are laid out clearly.

This book is essential reading for anyone who's understanding of the Russian Revolution is, like mine was, based entirely on the film Anastasia and therefore included far more evil wizards than ever actually existed.

Absolutely fantastic. Penny's critique of capitalism and the patriarchy is eminently accessible and fast paced, and also thoroughly researched. Drawing on her own experiences and those of others she has met though her travels, Penny opens the readers eyes to the stark realities of enforced gender roles, cyber-misogyny, and the oppression of men, women, and all other genders.

A fantastic read that will hopefully stoke the revolutionary fires inside many readers.

A fantastic history of the struggle for gay liberation, from the first speech on homosexuality in parliament by Social Democrat August Bebel, through to the revolutionary Marxist politics of the International Socialists in the 70s. A must-read for anyone who wants to find the best way to bring about true gay liberation!