The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism

By: Bertrand Russell

Narrated by: Mark Sebastian

The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism, first published in 1920, is Bertrand Russell's assessment of the Communist system which he witnessed in the Soviet Union. In May of 1920, Russell entered Russia as an unofficial observer with the British Labour Delegation. During his month-long stay, he kept a journal of his observations, which formed the basis of The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism. Russell states that what he saw in Russia disabused him of his hope that the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 would lead to a better society. He also harshly criticises the fact that Bolshevism considered itself a religion, with practices and beliefs that would not allow any doubt. He contends that the ideology entertains dogmatic beliefs and closes the mind to scientific enquiry.

Public Domain (P)2019 Museum Audiobooks

A must read.

If I had been exposed to this book, along with perhaps Whittaker Chambers’ autobiography and George Orwell’s history of his experiences during the Spanish Civil War my life would have been less tumultuous and confused. A “child of the 60s“ and veteran of the Vietnam war, as a young man I was well aware of the many deficiencies of the culture and government of the United States. But while I was suspicious that communism and / or extreme leftism were not the answers I sought, I had doubts. This book and the others referenced above, along with perhaps 10 histories, memoirs, biographies, etc. that I have now had time to read in my retirement have given me a perspective on my 72 years of life that was previously lacking. For those of my generation at least I recommend that if you have the time, start reading these books. The insights they provide from the point of view of leftists about the deficiencies of communism, etc. are fascinating. They don’t make the flaws in our system any less real, but they may well enhance your life.

Perhaps the first intellectual useful idiot

This piece helps to paint of picture of the unwitting intelligentsia that falls for socialism every damn time. Every predictable failure and horror is a peculiar instance and not inherently within the murderous ideology itself. Watch as Russell goes right to brink of figuring it out, and then double down on folly. Unfortunately, this class of fool has multiplied over the last 100 years and we are doomed to endure their envy, ignorance, and bloodlust for the foreseeable future.

Good work, glitchy

I think the content is exceptional and insightful. In the penultimate section however, it appears the audio’s editor fell asleep at the switch, and it is riddled with the readers out-takes and re-statements. Which is exhausting to listen to, and destroys the narrative of ideas that are already dense and Byzantine to begin with.

unfinished or sloppily edited

Chapter 6 is contains raw audio with constant repetition and correction. Was not edited properly.