Customer Reviews

The Collected Works of John Reed (Modern Library)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reed is certainly not as well-known as he should be. You'll find the original text for the movie "Reds" here. Some of the later chapters in the Russian portion are a bit boring. But even better is his account of the Mexican Revolution and his encounters with Pancho Villa. Any history buff will enjoy his description of the Balkans before they were chopped up and recombined into the mess they remain today. If you enjoy the great adventurers and explorers like Sir Richard F. Burton, you'll like this.

John Reed lived a short and adventurous life. This three part compilation of his works was excellent to read because of Insurgent Mexico, and the War in Eastern Europe. Both are excellent, and are worth buying this book for its historical importance and for our modern experience in these regions. If Mexican history and Eastern Europe interest you, this is a great read. I enjoy journalistic accounts, and this book really fits the bill. 10 Days that Shook the World is interesting as a period piece and to see that the Commies perhaps duped him but is not as fascinating as the first two works.

I have to say that John Reed's Ten Days That Shook The World works more as a period piece today than as history. Still, you might look at the guy as an early example of what Hunter Thompson called, "Gonzo Journalism." Reed was reporting history as he saw it happen. There is always something to be said for that.