Tag Archives: Lenin

Memoirs of a Revolutionary, by Victor Serge: A Chapbook

A phenomenal accomplishment, written on the run, through deportations, exile, imprisonment, and published posthumously. One of the most important books of the 20th century. Up there with Robert Conquest’s The Great Terror: A Reassessment. Victor Serge was active in Socialist … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today in history: November 7, 1917

Yesterday’s post was a bit prescient, considering that today is the anniversary of one of the most seismic events of the 20th century: The Russian Revolution (or, at least, that first successful power-grab.) Look at that rogue’s gallery. I love … Continue reading

Posted in On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Cold War Tango

Henri Cartier-Bresson. Tallinn, Estonia. 1973. Two dancers training for a competition. Lenin approves.

Posted in Art/Photography | Tagged | 4 Comments

Communist Propaganda

It’s everywhere. You just have to know where to look. And you have to be insane. For example:

Posted in Personal | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Today In History: November 7, 1917

One of the most seismic events of the 20th century: The Russian Revolution. Look at that gathering of rogues. I love the grainy old photographs of all of them – they always look so twinkly and jolly, don’t they? It’s … Continue reading

Posted in On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Stalin: Taming the Intelligentsia

Note from me: I will probably continue to edit and add to this post – I dashed it off in a FEVER! I am continuing to pick at it – so if it continues to change as you look at … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellania | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Fungus in Red Square

Member this whole story? About Lenin sprouting fungus in the middle of Red Square? The whole embalmed leader thing has always fascinated me on a very abstract level. It’s so creepy, and – so labor-intensive – like – people’s entire … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

Lenin’s Occasional Fungi

Quote: Time has been unkind to Lenin, whose remains here in Red Square are said to sprout occasional fungi, and whose ideology and party long ago fell to ruins. Now the inevitable question has returned. Should his body be moved? … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellania | Tagged , , | 29 Comments