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Trotsky in New York, 1917
- A Radical on the Eve of Revolution
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Historical
Summary
Lev Davidovich Trotsky burst onto the world stage in November 1917 as coleader of a Marxist Revolution seizing power in Russia. It made him one of the most recognized personalities of the 20th century, a global icon of radical change. Yet just months earlier, this same Lev Trotsky was a nobody, a refugee expelled from Europe, writing obscure pamphlets and speeches, barely noticed outside a small circle of fellow travelers. Where had he come from to topple Russia and change the world? Where else? New York City.
Between January and March 1917, Trotsky found refuge in the United States. America had kept itself out of the European Great War, leaving New York the freest city on earth. During his time there - just over 10 weeks - Trotsky immersed himself in the local scene. He settled his family in the Bronx, edited a radical left wing tabloid in Greenwich Village, sampled the lifestyle, and plunged headlong into local politics. His clashes with leading New York socialists over the question of US entry into World War I would reshape the American left for the next 50 years.
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What listeners say about Trotsky in New York, 1917
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 04-04-18
A Liberals view of Trotsky
Interesting relatively unknown aspect of Trotsky life. Writer does really understand pre WW1 socialism.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Salvator Marinello
- 03-12-20
Great Story; Ludicrous Conclusion
I enjoyed this book and the story told within. Worth the listen for anyone who is curious about the distinction between Lenin and Trotsky, and their philosophies,and how the seeds of the Russian Revolution were cultivated in NYC. However, and without offering any spoilers, the author’s conclusions with regard to what ‘might have been,’ are ridiculous.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Uli Gor
- 01-12-20
An unexpected link between Russia and USA
Coming from Russia, I knew quite a lot about Trotskiy and his role in the revolution, but I was surprised to learn about his time in USA and the influence he had here. I feel the author inflated the extent of his influence on the socialist movement in the USA (perhaps understandable, since the book is devoted to Trotskiy), but I’m curious not to learn more about it from other sources now.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John and Elizabeth Geiges
- 21-10-20
The absolute best
I’ve listened to several hundred non fiction novels and this is hands down one of the best . Went thru it in just a few days. Plan to listen to authors other novel on Audible.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- C. Green
- 25-01-21
Small Subject Stretched into Good Book
Very well researched and written. I found it very interesting, especially the broader ramifications of the different actors in New York. However, as narrative goes, there's not much to work with in this time-frame. Trotsky is in America very briefly and there's only so much interest that can be had in such a brief and relatively unremarkable journey. That said, the author does a great job selling all that could be construed as interesting about it and it's implications.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 19-01-21
loved it!
I'm not personally a fan of Trotskyism but this is a great and entertaining book. I really enjoyed learning about his interactions with other famous revolutionaries or reformers of the time, Emma Goldman, Eugene V Debs, Hilquit, ect. I had no idea Trotsky was so connected to the American left at the time.