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THE YOGI AND THE COMMISSAR by Arthur Koestler

THE YOGI AND THE COMMISSAR

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Pub Date: May 22nd, 1945
Publisher: Macmillan

The author of Darkness At Noon has won the right to be heard, for his perceptive and imaginative handling of the psychology behind the Moscow trials. For that reason, the section of this series of essays and articles devoted to Soviet Russia will be particularly interesting for his discriminating, devoted following. One may not agree with his conclusion that ""Soviet Russia is a State-capitalistic totalitarian autocracy...progressive in its economic structure...politically, culturally reactionary...compared with most capitalist democracies."" ...The essays range from literary to political criticism -- from a discussion of what to read -- a tribute to Richard Hillary and his generation -- a PS to Scum of the Earth as he received further word of Le Vernet, concentration camp -- fascism and democracy, a question of degree -- our undemocratic processes which make this war a fight ""against a total lie in the name of a half truth""...and finally the essays on the Soviet. A difficult hurdle in the title. Koestler is a brilliant analyst and stylist.