Ten Days That Shook the World is a first hand account of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, written by American journalist and socialist John Reed. Ironically the book was banned in both the US and Russia, being too socialistic for Americans and not Stalinist enough for Stalin. Yet it holds up as one of the best books of the 20th century.

Reed wrote the book in a white heat over the course of a few weeks, with nothing but a scattering of notes, pamphlets, and a little Russian dictionary. Ten Days that Shook the World is a snapshot in time, one that depicts an episode in history with great vividness and detail. Perhaps it's good that it was banned for a time, as it would have otherwise been spun to death with propaganda from all sides. Now, almost a century later, it can be read and enjoyed with a much cooler head by everyone.