About this book
John Reed's Ten Days that Shook the World stands as one of the most gripping firsthand accounts of revolution ever written. This landmark work of narrative history follows the American journalist and socialist through the tumultuous October Revolution of 1917, capturing the raw energy and chaos of the Bolshevik uprising that transformed Russia and reverberated across the global stage. Reed was there—witnessing key moments alongside prominent revolutionary leaders like Grigory Zinoviev and Karl Radek—bringing an immediacy and authenticity that few historical accounts can match.
Originally published in 1919, Reed's vivid prose brings the streets of Petrograd to life, documenting the strikes, assemblies, and political upheaval that defined these pivotal days. He masterfully weaves together personal observations, revolutionary declarations, and the voices of ordinary Russians caught in extraordinary circumstances. The result is both a gripping historical narrative and an intimate portrait of revolution in motion.
Reed's dedication to capturing the truth was legendary—he famously completed this essential work in mere weeks of obsessive writing, consulting papers, placards, and memory to ensure accuracy. Tragically, he died in 1920, shortly after finishing the book, and was honored with burial at the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, a rare distinction for any foreigner.
This audiobook is essential listening for history enthusiasts, students of political science, and anyone seeking to understand how transformative historical moments unfold. Reed's unforgettable narrative remains as compelling today as when first published.
