RUSSELL, BERTRAND ARTHUR WILLIAM. Bolshevism: practice and theory. *$2 Harcourt 335
20–20991
A book containing the articles which appeared in the Nation together with new material. Bertrand Russell writes as a communist who finds much to criticize in the bolshevist method of putting communism into practice. He says: “A fundamental economic reconstruction, bringing with it very far-reaching changes in ways of thinking and feeling, in philosophy and art and private relations, seems absolutely necessary if industrialism is to become the servant of man instead of his master. In all this, I am at one with the Bolsheviks; politically, I criticize them only when their methods seem to involve a departure from their own ideals.” (Preface) The book is the outcome of a brief visit to Russia. Part 1, The present condition of Russia, has chapters on: What is hoped for Bolshevism; General characteristics; Lenin, Trotsky, and Gorky; Art and education (written by Mr Russell’s secretary, Miss D. W. Black); Daily life in Moscow; etc. Part 2, Bolshevik theory, is a criticism of the materialistic conception of history and other accepted doctrines, with chapters on: Why Russian communist has failed; and Conditions for the success of communism.
“We have found the most interesting part of Mr Russell’s book to be, on the whole, his analysis of the theory of Bolshevism.” J. W. N. S.
+ − Ath p695 N 19 ’20 780w + Booklist 17:142 Ja ’21
“A clear and convincing critique of Bolshevism as a social theory.” E: E. Paramore, jr.
+ N Y Evening Post p4 D 31 ’20 700w
“No such remarkable book as his ‘Bolshevism: practice and theory,’ has been published on this subject. Small as the volume is, only 192 pages, it is amazing how much he says.”
+ N Y Times p10 D 26 ’20 1400w