Mirrors of Moscow

Mirrors of Moscow

Revolution! The air is filled with flames and fumes. The shapes of men, seen through the smoke, become distorted and unreal. Promethean supermen, they seem, giants in sin or virtue, Satans or saviours. But, in truth, behind the screen of smoke and flame they are like other men: no larger and no smaller, no better and no worse: all creatures of the same incessant passions, hungers, vanities and fears. So it is in Russia. And in this book I have tried to show the leaders of the revolution as they really are, as I know them in their homes, where the red glare does not penetrate and they live as other men. Great events make great men. For to be strong enough even to maintain ones self amid great events is to be great. Without the event the strength is nothing. Had the revolt of 1917 failed, like the revolt of 1905, Lenin would have worked his life out in an attic in Geneva, Trotsky would have lived and died in a New York garret, Kalinin[Pg xii] would have remained a disappointed, debt-burdened peasant, Tchicherin a futile ex-diplomatist in exile. The world would not have known their names: just as the world would not have known Napoleon or Danton or Marat or Robespierre had Louis XVI been a trifle less desperately dull. But the revolt of 1917 became a revolution and its colossal drive and heave flung up the exiles to greatness. As men it did not change them. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 68451
Author: Bryant, Louise Stevens
Release Date: Jul 3, 2022
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: Thomas Seltzer
Publication Date: 1923
Publisher Country: United States

Contributors

Illustrator: Cesare, Oscar Edward, 1885-1948