(4.5 stars) Admittedly, I was a little distracted throughout reading most of this, so I don't really feel able to give a comprehensive review.

I think this is a very important piece of writing to read when looking at the 1917 Russian Revolution, as it shows from first hand accounts the nature of politics and infighting between differing groups at the time in the effort to reform Russia and its outer territories from its Tsarist rule. One of the best things about this account is that Reed talks about how regular people thought and behaved, which helps in humanising the revolution as an act of desperation against centuries of abuse. Often there is a large focus on Lenin, Trotsky, and the Romanov family when discussing this period, but people neglect the peasants and the workers, which is so ironic given that the peasants and the workers were supposed to be the focus.

I think there was a slight lack of information, and it didn't really feel like a fully developed or comprehensive account. Seeing as it is a primary source, this is definitely excusable. I was left wanting to hear more from Reed and his experiences, not completely satisfied by the little that was said in comparison to how tumultuous this year was. Essential reading.