Three Revolutions: Professor Simon Hall on his new book
Three Revolutions: Russia, China, Cuba and the Epic Journeys that Changed the World is published by Faber and Faber (2025).
Professor Hall joins us to tell us more about the book.
Why did you want to write this book?
I was initially drawn to the three American journalists, John Reed, Edgar Snow, and Herbert Matthews. All three were extraordinary, larger than life characters, who also produced eyewitness accounts that did not just record history, but also helped to change it.
What surprised you in the course of writing this book?
The role of contingency. Lenin could very easily have been denied entry to Russia in April 1917, and both Mao and Fidel came perilously close to being shot well before they became famous revolutionaries.
Who did you discover in the course of your resarch that you think we should know more about, and why?
Helen Foster Snow — Edgar’s first wife, and a journalist herself — played a really influential role in shaping the final version of Red Star Over China (Edgar’s landmark account of the Chinese Communists). In particular, she persuaded him to include, virtually unedited, Mao’s lengthy autobiography (as told to Snow), rather than — as Edgar wanted — summarising it. As she told him: ‘Why, this is like having George Washington at Valley Forge tell the story of the Revolution.’
What is the key thing that you want readers to remember from this book?
That a commitment to impassioned reporting and a commitment to honest journalism do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Book launch
The publication of this book will be celebrated with a book launch taking place at Waterstone’s, Albion Streeet, Leeds on 3rd July 2025. Book your place on the Waterstone’s website.
Find out more
Three Revolutions: Russia, China, Cuba and the Epic Journeys that Changed the World is published by Faber and Faber (2025).
Learn more about Professor Hall’s research on his staff profile webpage.
