The Anti-Climax (concluding chapter of The Bolshevik Myth)

Alexander Berkman

言語:

英語

状態:

Complete work

著者性:

Written by the author

THE "ANTI- CLIMAX THE "ANTI-CLIMAX" THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER OF MY RUSSIAN DIARY "THE BOLSHEVIK MYTH" ALEXANDER BERKMAN Tl I - Y THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN EXPLANATION My work on Russia, 'THE BOLSHEVIK MYTH," which has just been issued by the publishing house of Boni & Livcright, New York, is an impersonal story of the Russian Revolution, a day by day record kept during ray two years' stay in that country (January, 1920— December, 1921). It is a recital of actual events and experiences, without general*' sations or theoretical deductions. My subjective reactions and the lessons taught me by the Revolution I summarised in the Con- cluding Chapter. But Mr. Liveright rejected that chapter as an "anti-climax" from a literary stand' point and insisted on leaving it out. Anxious to place my book before the public, I con- sented, But much as I am interested in literature, I consider the Russian Revolution and its lessons far more important than the finest writing. In a certain sense present-day Russia is indeed an anti- climax to the revolutionary aspirations of 1917. The ore vital is the elucidation of the causes that led to \ the debacle of the Revolution. Those causes are discussed in the missing chapter. I have therefore published the Latter in the present brochure, for the dreader's better understanding of the "BOLSHEVIK MYTH" and — in justice to myself. ^ 8 cry 22 TxV Berlin, January, 1925. ALEXANDER BERKMAN dreader's better understanding of the "BOLSHEVIK MYTH" and — in justice to myself. ^ 8 cry 22 TxV Berlin, January, 1925. ALEXANDER BERKMAN 444435 PREFACE Various circumstances have delayed the appear- ance of my work on Russia. But though it deals with conditions of two years ago, the book is as descript* ive of Russia today as it was then. "THE BOLSHEVIK MYTH" covers the period of military communism and the succeeding "nep" — the new economic policy introduced by Lenin in 19

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