Hawk1981
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- Apr 1, 2020
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John Reed's passion for his subject is evident from the start of his book Ten Days That Shook the World, "This book is a slice of intensified history--history as I saw it. It does not pretend to be anything but a detailed account of the November Revolution, when the Bolsheviki, at the head of the workers and soldiers, seized the state power of Russia and placed it in the hands of the Soviets."
John Reed was an American journalist dispatched to Russia to write a series of articles for American Socialist Journals. He arrived in Petrograd in September, 1917, and for the next six months observed the events in Russia as the Bolsheviks seized power. As historian Theodore Draper noted, "These were the days that shook John Reed. He went to Russia purely as a journalist, but he was not a pure journalist. He could not resist identifying himself with underdogs, especially if they followed strong, ruthless leaders. Reed was first and foremost a great reporter, but he was at his best reporting a cause that he could make his own."
Reed started in journalism working formal jobs at mainstream magazines, but sought to establish himself as a freelance journalist. After circulating poems and an essay about a trip to Europe, he broke through with a publication in The Saturday Evening Post followed by other works accepted by Collier's and The Century Magazine. His serious interest in social issues and labor relations led to his radicalization, and he joined the staff of the Socialist journal The Masses in 1913.
Sent to Mexico to cover the Mexican Revolution, Reed traveled with Pancho Villa's army for four months. The resulting series of magazine articles brought Reed a national reputation as an outstanding war correspondent. When the First World War broke out in the summer of 1914, Reed made his way to Europe and over the next two years traveled through nearly all of the belligerent countries, seeking interviews and writing articles.
Reed was bitterly opposed to the war and disappointed by the general collapse in working class solidarity and its replacement by nationalist zeal. Seeing the war as a falling out among commercial rivals, he wrote, "We who are Socialists, must hope--we may even expect--that out of this horror of bloodshed and dire destruction will come far-reaching social changes..." Cautioning against being duped by editorials promoting Liberalism going forth to Holy War against tyranny, Reed reminds his readers, "This is not our war."
Arriving in Petrograd at just the right time and place to witness the October Revolution, he was present when the Bolshevik's captured the Winter Palace from the Kerensky government. As an enthusiastic supporter of the new regime, he worked for a time translating decrees and official news into English. Reed's closeness to the new government's inner circle allowed him to meet with Trotsky and Lenin.
After a difficult journey, Reed returned home to New York to face charges for violating the Sedition Act from the content of his magazine articles. He was eventually acquitted, and finished writing Ten Days That Shook the World in time for publication in early 1919.
In the years since its publication, critics have praised Reed's account of the events he witnessed, despite their general opposition to his political beliefs. George Kennan, American diplomat and historian, wrote that, "Reed's account of the events of that time rises above every other contemporary record for its literary power, its penetration," and "its command of detail."
John Reed died in Russia of Typhus shortly after his return to the country in October, 1920. He is one of three Americans buried in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis.
John Reed was an American journalist dispatched to Russia to write a series of articles for American Socialist Journals. He arrived in Petrograd in September, 1917, and for the next six months observed the events in Russia as the Bolsheviks seized power. As historian Theodore Draper noted, "These were the days that shook John Reed. He went to Russia purely as a journalist, but he was not a pure journalist. He could not resist identifying himself with underdogs, especially if they followed strong, ruthless leaders. Reed was first and foremost a great reporter, but he was at his best reporting a cause that he could make his own."
Reed started in journalism working formal jobs at mainstream magazines, but sought to establish himself as a freelance journalist. After circulating poems and an essay about a trip to Europe, he broke through with a publication in The Saturday Evening Post followed by other works accepted by Collier's and The Century Magazine. His serious interest in social issues and labor relations led to his radicalization, and he joined the staff of the Socialist journal The Masses in 1913.
Sent to Mexico to cover the Mexican Revolution, Reed traveled with Pancho Villa's army for four months. The resulting series of magazine articles brought Reed a national reputation as an outstanding war correspondent. When the First World War broke out in the summer of 1914, Reed made his way to Europe and over the next two years traveled through nearly all of the belligerent countries, seeking interviews and writing articles.
Reed was bitterly opposed to the war and disappointed by the general collapse in working class solidarity and its replacement by nationalist zeal. Seeing the war as a falling out among commercial rivals, he wrote, "We who are Socialists, must hope--we may even expect--that out of this horror of bloodshed and dire destruction will come far-reaching social changes..." Cautioning against being duped by editorials promoting Liberalism going forth to Holy War against tyranny, Reed reminds his readers, "This is not our war."
Arriving in Petrograd at just the right time and place to witness the October Revolution, he was present when the Bolshevik's captured the Winter Palace from the Kerensky government. As an enthusiastic supporter of the new regime, he worked for a time translating decrees and official news into English. Reed's closeness to the new government's inner circle allowed him to meet with Trotsky and Lenin.
After a difficult journey, Reed returned home to New York to face charges for violating the Sedition Act from the content of his magazine articles. He was eventually acquitted, and finished writing Ten Days That Shook the World in time for publication in early 1919.
In the years since its publication, critics have praised Reed's account of the events he witnessed, despite their general opposition to his political beliefs. George Kennan, American diplomat and historian, wrote that, "Reed's account of the events of that time rises above every other contemporary record for its literary power, its penetration," and "its command of detail."
John Reed died in Russia of Typhus shortly after his return to the country in October, 1920. He is one of three Americans buried in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis.