Three Revolutions - by Simon Hall (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the streets of Petrograd during the heady autumn of 1917, to Mao's stunning victory in October 1949, and Fidel's triumphant arrival in Havana, in January 1959, the history of the twentieth century was transformed in dramatic and profound ways by the Russian, Chinese and Cuban revolutions.

Here, the stories of these epoch-defining events are told together for the first time. At the heart of each revolution was an epic journey: Lenin's 1917 return to Russia from exile in Switzerland; Mao's 'Long March' of 1934-35, covering some 6,000 miles across China; and Fidel Castro's return to Cuba in 1956 following his exile in Mexico. Told in tandem with these are the corresponding journeys of John Reed, Edgar Snow and Herbert L. Matthews, three extraordinary American journalists who were themselves victims of anti-radical crusades - Reed as part of the first Red Scare, Snow and Matthews as part of the second. Before each died in exile - in Russia, Switzerland and Australia, respectively - their electric testimony from the frontlines would make a decisive contribution to how these revolutions were understood in the wider world.

Together, these six journeys changed the course of the twentieth century. Here, in Simon Hall's masterful retelling, these exhilarating events are brought vividly to life. Featuring a stellar cast, extraordinary drama and an epic sweep, Three Revolutions raises fundamental questions about the nature of political power, the limits of idealism and the role of the journalist - questions that remain of utmost urgency today.

Review Quotes

"A highly readable, engaging, astute microhistory of an overlooked event ... a sharply focused study ... illuminating." -- Kirkus *STARRED REVIEW*

"Well-researched, compelling, entertaining and at times scarcely believable ... an interesting portrayal of a fiery and transformative time in Cold War history and rich in detail." -- Americas Quarterly

"A wide-ranging exploration ... Hall's informative, page-turning account captures the cultural and political tumult of the era, and the fervent idealism that made Castro a revolutionary icon. Political history buffs will want to take a look." -- Publishers Weekly

"A captivating account of three revolutionaries and the intrepid journalists who brought their stories to the world." -- Kirkus