THE ANATOMY OF REVOLUTION

by Crane Brinton ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The product of a practiced historical surgeon, this is a joy to read and a provider for a hey-day of intellectual stimulation and argument picking. With four countries- France, Russia, the United States and Britain- as examples, Brinton describes the symptoms, stages and aftermaths of revolution as they differ and are alike: first, the corruptions of old regimes, then the dramatic rather than practical first firings, the great variety of revolutionaries, the rules of the moderates, the accessions of extremists, reigns of terror and virtue, ""thermidor"" or the baking period, and finally the changes brought about. Very neatly cut, and sewn, the analyses are primarily scientific and work from the general hypotheses that the overall pattern of revolution has been the same wherever revolution has taken place. And while we are continually warned against accepting the overall and ignoring the complicated variables, the emergent idea is exceedingly persuasive. In relation to Russia as the only yet unfinished case and one that would go against the pattern by being a ""permanent revolution""- i.e., a different country instead of a sick one healed -- Briton speculates that the Soviet is still in the convalescent state. There will probably not be a complete transformation by totalitarian elements but a future coming to terms with old values, as is represented now for example by the continuing existence of class system there. A readable, brilliant study. Market limited to political theorists and scholars. Not for the layman.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 0394700449

Page Count: -

Publisher: Prentice-Hall

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1952

Categories: NONFICTION