A great non-fiction book that reads at the pace of a thriller. Recounting the eleven days of the 1905 mutiny aboard the Battleship Potemkin. The author did extensive research to take the reader back aboard the ship, from the unrest brewing among the crew to the maggot-filled meat that was the breaking point, to the desperate attempt to survive once it became clear the rest of the fleet would not follow suit. Not only are the scenes on deck engaging, but the historical context fleshes out the drama of the action.
This book really made me aware of how many people were eager for revolution but had the foresight to see that the hard-line Bolsheviks were not necessarily the ideal option. So many times it seems like history is made without a thought to long-term consequences, and it is good to know that the views and thoughts of those who were not swept up in the winning team survive. It's especially refreshing on the days when it feels like only hard-core right and left wingers make the news or have any impact- it's good to remember that the voices of moderation and reason endure. They may not sway the masses or hold power, but they are heard and remembered.
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