ANTONELLI, ÉTIENNE. Bolshevik Russia. *$2 (3c) Knopf 947
20–650
This book, translated from the French by Charles A. Carroll, is from the pen of a former professor of the College de France, an economist and sociologist, who as military attaché to the French embassy studied the Russian situation with its historical background and the character of the Russian ever in view. The conclusion he arrives at is that Bolshevist Russia, “if not crushed by a new ‘Holy alliance,’ will prepare for humanity the spectacle of a singular democracy, such as the world will not have known until then, a democracy which will not be made up of gradual conquests plucked by shreds from a plutocratic bourgeoisie, but which will build itself up out of the very stuff of the people, a democracy which will not descend from the powerful ones to the people, as in all present forms of society, but which will rise voluntarily and surely from the unorganized and uncultivated folk to an organizing intelligence.” (Conclusion) The contents are in two parts: Bolshevism and politics; and Bolshevism and society.
“The detailed recital of events in chronological order is straightforward and clear but for the confusion of names of individuals and of parties and factions which are almost meaningless to an ordinary reader in this country. The psychological analysis of the Russian is interesting, but its over-simplification makes one feel that it is inadequate.” V: E. Helleberg
+ − Am J Soc 26:113 Jl ’20 170w + Ath p355 Mr 12 ’20 80w Booklist 16:236 Ap ’20
“His record, covering almost the same period as that of Robins in point of experience, has a much broader historic background and a more carefully scientific sociological basis.” O. M. Sayler
+ Bookm 51:312 My ’20 1000w Cleveland p27 Mr ’20 40w
Reviewed by Harold Kellock
Freeman 1:620 S 8 ’20 550w