The Red Flag: A History of Communism

For Rulers: Priming Political Leaders for Saving Humanity from Itself“The dramatic, and largely unpredicted, fall of Communism in 1989 was, then, much more than the collapse of an empire: it was the end of a two-century-long epoch, in which first European and then world politics was powerfully affected by a visionary conception of modern society, in which the wretched of the earth would create a society founded on harmony and equality” (Kindle location 163-164)….”Explaining Communism demands that we enter a very different mental world – that of Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, Che Guevara and Gorbachev, as well as those who supported or tolerated them” (Kindle location 193-195).These challenges are posed and ably taken up in this eye-opening book which provides a comprehensive vista of the rise and fall of Communism, including description as well as explanatory efforts. Indeed, the significance of this book reaches beyond the case of Communism, however earthshaking. It provides essential material for a comprehensive theory of revolutionary historic processes, needed urgently because of the approaching quantum-leap of humankind thanks to emerging science and technology – which will constitute a “mega-revolution” totally transforming Homo sapiens.I think the book could have gone deeper into the causes of the ultimate fall of Communism. As stated by the author on the French revolution “nothing less than a ‘new man’ was required, free of the habits of the past” (Kindle location 461-462). But, as also demonstrated by the history of the Israeli pure-type idealistic Communist Kibbutz movement, it seems that Rousseau and many others were wrong: much more than “habits of the past” shape human behavior, namely strong propensities imprinted by evolution.There are additional critical issues raised by the history of Communism as presented in the book, such as the role of individual humans in shaping important levels of historic processes. Marx is a prime example, but the impacts of Gorbachev are also a case in point. As assessed by the author “In place of neo-liberal shock therapy and Chinese-style state-led reform, Gorbachev settled on a deeply flawed compromise” (Kindle location 11155-11156). Could other choices by Gorbachev have maintained a partly “Communist” Soviet Union, thus producing a world different from our present one?Such stimulating questions raised by the book (though not explicitly discussed) further add to its importance. Therefore, I strongly recommend it to all who are concerned about the future of humankind. Much can be learned from it.Professor Yehezkel DrorThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem

A detailed look at the origins of communist take overs world wide and the conditions that fostered them. In addition, David Priestland does not shy from the mistakes that the free world made beginning with US arrogance following the World War I towards the Asian countries under colonial rule as well as the belligerent and self defeating responses in combating communism.I found this book an eye opener and recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the scourge of the 20th century, known as the Cold War - the fight between the Free World and the Totalitarian regimes threatening our freedoms.The book is large and not an easy read, but it's so well written and engaging that I couldn't put it down.

A very readable and lively history of communism. Sympathetic, balanced and detailed. And he illustrates every major twist and turn in communist history with excerpts and tidbits from novels, films and plays that bring the time and its attitudes alive for the reader. Absolutely outstanding.

As an amateur historian of the political history of the 20th Century I found this to be nearly flawless. Though perhaps not recommended as an entry level introduction to the subject, I found this history to be thorough, relatively unbiased, and engaging. My own basic familiarity with the areas covered gave me a good basis on which to judge the work myself. I would highly recommend it.

I ordered this book to use as a reader for my Russian history class. I had not had a chance to preview the book first since I was on deadline and went by the reviews. My students hated it. it was very difficult for them to separate what was important with the cultural footprints the author included. I knew most of the film and musical anecdotes Pruestland discussed but s casual reader of Russian history might not. My students struggled with what was significant and what wasn't. The book is not an exciting read but does a good job explaining socialism and communism and their many manifestations in the 20th century. This book is not for the casual reader but for someone with a solid base of knowledge of Russian history and economic history.

I admit that I purchased The Red Flag more out of a sense of duty than eagerness. I needed to better understand the history of Communism so I could explain it to my students more competently. My previous reading on the subject had been heavy on theory, and terminology like "dialectical materialism" just doesn't convey much to me.So I was delighted to find The Red Flag was written in a fresh, approachable style that leaves out most of the jargon while doing full justice to the drama. Beginning with the French Revolution, the author traces the development of socialism/communism through the tumultuous Napoleonic period and afterwards, focussing of course on the career of Karl Marx, then continues through the nineteenth century and the development of Leninism. In the twentieth century the story divides, primarily discussing the application of Marxism in Russia but also giving full coverage to variations in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.David Priestland's many biographical vignettes on the careers of some well known figures like Lenin and Stalin as well as less familiar names like Togliatti are interesting, and his discussions of how different varieties of Marxism like Maoism developed are illuminating without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. Most importantly, Priestland manages to convey the excitement and idealism,the sense that a fairer, more equal society was possible, which facilitated the growth and development of communism.

This book is a broad introduction to communism, balancing origins and theory with global history and mini-biographies. It is a very readable book, and requires little, if any background, knowledge.