John Reed Popular Books

John Reed Biography & Facts

John Silas Reed (October 22, 1887 – October 17, 1920) was an American journalist, poet, and communist activist. Reed first gained prominence as a war correspondent during the Mexican Revolution for Metropolitan and World War I for The Masses. He is best known for his coverage of the October Revolution in Petrograd, Russia, which he wrote about in his 1919 book Ten Days That Shook the World. Reed supported the Soviet takeover of Russia, even briefly taking up arms to join the Red Guards in 1918. He hoped for a similar Communist revolution in the United States, and co-founded the short-lived Communist Labor Party of America in 1919. He died in Moscow of spotted typhus in 1920. At the time of his death he may have soured on the Soviet leadership, but he was given a hero's burial by the Soviet Union, and is one of only four Americans buried at the Kremlin Wall Necropolis. Early life John Silas Reed was born on October 22, 1887, in his maternal grandparents' mansion in what is now the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. His grandmother's household had Chinese servants. Reed wrote of paying a nickel to a "Goose Hollowite" (young toughs in a gang in the working-class neighborhood below King's Hill) to keep from being beaten up. In 2001 a memorial bench dedicated to Reed was installed in Washington Park, which overlooks the site of Reed's birthplace (the mansion no longer exists).His mother, Margaret Reed (née Green), was the daughter of Portland industrialist Henry Dodge Green, who had made a fortune founding and operating three businesses: the first gas & light company, the first pig iron smelter on the West Coast, and the Portland water works (he was its second owner). SW Green Avenue was named in his honor.John's father, Charles Jerome Reed, was born in the East and came to Portland as the representative of an agricultural machinery manufacturer. With his ready wit, he quickly won acceptance in Portland's business community. The couple had married in 1886, and the family's wealth came from the Green side, not the Reed side. A sickly child, young Jack grew up surrounded by nurses and servants. His mother carefully selected his upper-class playmates. He had a brother, Harry, who was two years younger. Jack and his brother were sent to the recently established Portland Academy, a private school. Jack was bright enough to pass his courses but could not be bothered to work for top marks, as he found school dry and tedious. In September 1904, he was sent to Morristown, a New Jersey prep school, to prepare for college. His father, who did not attend college, wanted his sons to go to Harvard. At Morristown Jack continued his poor classroom performance, but made the football team and showed some literary promise. Reed failed his first attempt at Harvard College's admission exam but passed on his second try, and enrolled in the fall of 1906. Tall, handsome, and lighthearted, he threw himself into all manner of student activities. He was a member of the cheerleading team, the swimming team, and the dramatic club, served on the editorial boards of the Lampoon and The Harvard Monthly, and was president of the Harvard Glee Club. In 1910 he held a position in the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and also wrote music and lyrics for their show Diana's Debut. Reed failed to make the football and crew teams, but excelled in swimming and water polo. He was also made "Ivy orator and poet" in his senior year. Reed attended meetings of the Socialist Club, over which his friend Walter Lippmann presided, but never joined. The group introduced legislation into the state legislature, attacked the university for failing to pay its servants living wages, and petitioned the administration to establish a course on socialism. Reed later recalled: All this made no ostensible difference in the look of Harvard society, and probably the club-men and the athletes, who represented us to the world, never even heard of it. But it made me, and many others, realize that there was something going on in the dull outside world more thrilling than college activities, and turned our attention to the writings of men like H.G. Wells and Graham Wallas, wrenching us away from the Oscar Wildian dilettantism which had possessed undergraduate litterateurs for generations. Reed graduated from Harvard College in 1910. That summer he set out to see more of the "dull outside world," visiting England, France, and Spain before returning home to America the following spring. To pay his fare to Europe, Reed worked as a common laborer on a cattle boat. His travels were encouraged by his favorite professor, Charles Townsend Copeland ("Copey"), who told him he must "see life" if he wanted to successfully write about it. Career Journalist Reed had determined to become a journalist and set out to make his mark in New York. Reed made use of a valuable contact from Harvard, Lincoln Steffens, who was establishing a reputation as a muckraker. Steffens quickly appreciated Reed's skills and intellect and landed his young admirer an entry-level position on The American Magazine, where Reed read manuscripts, corrected proofs, and helped with the composition. Reed supplemented his salary by taking an additional job as the business manager of a new short-lived quarterly magazine, Landscape Architecture. Reed made his home in Greenwich Village, a burgeoning hub of poets, writers, activists, and artists. He came to love New York, relentlessly exploring it and writing poems about it. His formal jobs on the magazines paid the rent, but it was as a freelance journalist that Reed sought to establish himself. He collected rejection slips, circulating an essay and short stories about his six months in Europe, eventually breaking through in The Saturday Evening Post. Within a year, Reed had other work accepted by Collier's, The Forum, and The Century Magazine. One of his poems was set to music by composer Arthur Foote. The editors at The American came to see him as a contributor and began to publish his work.Reed's serious interest in social problems was first aroused about this time by Steffens and Ida Tarbell. He moved beyond them to a more radical political position than theirs. In 1913 he joined the staff of The Masses, edited by Max Eastman. Reed contributed more than 50 articles, reviews, and shorter pieces to this socialist publication. The first of Reed's many arrests came in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1913, for attempting to speak on behalf of strikers in the New Jersey silk mills. The harsh treatment meted out by the authorities to the strikers and the short jail term he served further radicalized Reed. He allied with the general socialist union, the Industrial Workers of the World. His account of his experiences was published in June as an article, "War in Paterson." During the same year, following a suggestion made by IWW leader Bill Haywood, Reed put on "The Pageant of the Paterson Strike" in Madison Square Garden as a benefit fo.... Discover the John Reed popular books. Find the top 100 most popular John Reed books.

Best Seller John Reed Books of 2024

  • Renegade synopsis, comments

    Renegade

    Mark E. Smith

    The only way to appreciate the legendary musician Mark E. Smith is to encounter the man in his own words.'May be the funniest music book ever written' ObserverThe Fall are one of t...

  • Reed v. John J. Strauman Et Al. synopsis, comments

    Reed v. John J. Strauman Et Al.

    Court of Appeals of New York

    [40 N.Y.2d 303 Page 305] These cross appeals involve the efficacy of an employment contract provision barring an employee from either directly or indirectly competing with, or sol...

  • The History of Bones synopsis, comments

    The History of Bones

    John Lurie

    The quintessential depiction of 1980s New York and the downtown scene from the artist, actor, musician, and composer John Lurie“A picaresque roller coaster of a story, with stagger...

  • Morgen und die Ewigkeit danach synopsis, comments

    Morgen und die Ewigkeit danach

    Manuela Inusa

    Echte Liebesgeschichten haben kein EndeAls Nathalie in der Psychiatrie Lucas kennenlernt, ist da sofort etwas Besonderes zwischen ihnen. Beide spüren es und doch können beide es ni...

  • Worldmakers synopsis, comments

    Worldmakers

    Gardner Dozois

    When mankind moves out to the stars, the colonists of the future will remake the worlds they inhabit in their image. Included here are twenty stories from the most imaginative writ...

  • Pedal Portland synopsis, comments

    Pedal Portland

    Todd Roll

    Pedal Portland is the ultimate guide for riding like a local. Portland is beautiful, and the everexpanding bike infrastructure makes for safe and pleasant riding. And it is a...

  • Tempting Faith synopsis, comments

    Tempting Faith

    David Kuo

    David Kuo came to Washington wanting to use his Christian faith to end abortion, strengthen marriage, and help the poor. He reached the heights of political power, ultimately servi...

  • The Squiggly Career synopsis, comments

    The Squiggly Career

    Helen Tupper & Sarah Ellis

    THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BUSINESS BESTSELLER'The Squiggly Career is about navigating work in a way that suits you, it's a timely and brilliant handbook for now' Stylist 'A brilliant ...

  • Kubrick synopsis, comments

    Kubrick

    Robert P. Kolker & Nathan Abrams

    The definitive biography of the creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange, presenting the most indepth portrait yet of the groundbreaking filmmaker.The ...

  • John Kenneth Reed and Rene Reed v. Coyce synopsis, comments

    John Kenneth Reed and Rene Reed v. Coyce

    Supreme Court of Alabama

    HOUSTON, Justice. Plaintiffs, John Kenneth Reed and his wife, Rene Reed, 1 appeal from a summary judgment granted in favor of the defendants, Ed Brunson, Sherman Howell,...

  • Semi-Detached synopsis, comments

    Semi-Detached

    Griff Rhys Jones

    Semidetached Griff relives freezing bus journeys to school and the impulsive stealing of that halfacrown from Charlie Hume’s money box; sitting outside Butlins at Clacton (longing ...

  • Liverpool - Wondrous Place synopsis, comments

    Liverpool - Wondrous Place

    Paul Du Noyer

    No other city in the world is as well known or loved for its vibrant and definitive musical history as Liverpool. In 2002, Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles voted Liverpo...

  • The Good New Stuff synopsis, comments

    The Good New Stuff

    Gardner Dozois

    Once the mainstay of science fiction, adventure stories fell out of favor during the 1960s and early 1970s. But in recent years, science fiction writers have spun out galaxyspannin...

  • Me and Mr. Jones synopsis, comments

    Me and Mr. Jones

    Suzi Ronson

    A luminescent memoir from the stylist who created David's iconic Ziggy Stardust look, painting a dazzling picture of Bowie and the wild world of his entourage during this pivotal m...

  • Department of Motor Vehicles v. Industrial Accident Commission and John M. Reed synopsis, comments

    Department of Motor Vehicles v. Industrial Accident Commission and John M. Reed

    First Appellate District, Division One District Court Of Appeal Of California

    The sole question in this case is whether a letter written by decedent William Henry Golder to his mother, appellant herein, constitutes a valid holographic will. We are of the opi...

  • The United States, Plaintiffs in Error v. John S. Roberts and James F. Reed synopsis, comments

    The United States, Plaintiffs in Error v. John S. Roberts and James F. Reed

    United States Supreme Court

    THIS case was brought up, by writ of error, from the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Illinois. It was an action of debt, brought by the United States in the ...

  • Terms Of Inheritance synopsis, comments

    Terms Of Inheritance

    Michelle Upton

    Four sisters. A vast fortune. And a mother who thinks she knows best ...Where there's a will, there's a way.A funny, moving, brilliantly observed story about letting go of the past...

  • Woman of Valor synopsis, comments

    Woman of Valor

    Ellen Chesler

    This illuminating biography of Margaret Sangerthe woman who fought for birth control in Americadescribes her childhood, her private life, her relationships with Emma Goldman and Jo...

  • The Military Memoirs of a Confederate Line Officer synopsis, comments

    The Military Memoirs of a Confederate Line Officer

    William R. Cobb

    John C. Reed fought through the entire war as an officer in the 8th Georgia Infantry, most of it with General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The Princeton graduate was wounded at...

  • Play It Loud synopsis, comments

    Play It Loud

    Brad Tolinski & Alan di Perna

    The inspiration for the Play It Loud exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art"Every guitar player will want to read this book twice. And even the casual music fan wil...

  • Emergency Exit Only synopsis, comments

    Emergency Exit Only

    Michelle Upton

    No evacuation plan, no safety net.Amelia's quitting the daily grind to find her fantasy job.But a shocking secret from the past shows her that where there's smoke, there's fire ......

  • Coen Brothers - Virgin Film synopsis, comments

    Coen Brothers - Virgin Film

    Eddie Robson

    Joel and Ethan Coen make up one of the most original and unconventional moviemaking partnerships to come out of America at the end of the 20th century. From their debut tour de for...

  • Mostest Unusual Bedtime Stories Ever Spoken to an Innocent Child synopsis, comments

    Mostest Unusual Bedtime Stories Ever Spoken to an Innocent Child

    John Reed

    This little book is a small collection of my children's most frequently requested bedtime stories. All five are original to this author and reproduced here to the best of our ...

  • Desert Between the Mountains synopsis, comments

    Desert Between the Mountains

    Michael S. Durham

    On July 24, 1847, a band of Mormon pioneers descended into the Salt Lake Valley. Having crossed the Great Plains and hauled their wagons over the Rocky Mountains, they believed tha...

  • The Mysteries of John the Baptist synopsis, comments

    The Mysteries of John the Baptist

    Tobias Churton

    The search for the real historical person known as John the Baptist and the traditions that began with him Explores why John the Baptist is so crucially important to the Freemason...

  • Works of John Reed synopsis, comments

    Works of John Reed

    John Reed

    2 works of John Reed American journalist, poet, and socialist activist (18871920) This ebook presents a collection of 2 works of John Reed. A dynamic table of contents allows you t...

  • M. T. Reed Construction Company and John S. Winbigler v. Jackson Plating Company synopsis, comments

    M. T. Reed Construction Company and John S. Winbigler v. Jackson Plating Company

    Supreme Court of Mississippi

    Appellee instituted suit in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County against appellants, M. T. Reed Construction Company and its employee, John S. Winbigler...

  • John Lane Reed v. State Texas synopsis, comments

    John Lane Reed v. State Texas

    Supreme Court of Texas

    This appeal arises out of a conviction for robbery by assault wherein the punishment, enhanced under Article 62, Vernons Ann.P.C., was assessed at life by the court following a ver...

  • Insurgent Mexico synopsis, comments

    Insurgent Mexico

    John Reed

    Mercado's Federal army, after its dramatic and terrible retreat four hundred miles across the desert when Chihuahua was abandoned, lay three months at Ojinaga on the Rio Grande.

  • Gwen Lorenc v. John Reed Call synopsis, comments

    Gwen Lorenc v. John Reed Call

    Court of Appeals of Utah

    FACTS. Granite School District required Lorenc to pay fees for her children attending secondary school. AMENDED OPINION

  • Young Radicals synopsis, comments

    Young Radicals

    Jeremy McCarter

    From the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller Hamilton: The Revolution, the stunning story of five American radicals fighting for their ideals as the country...

  • Free Money synopsis, comments

    Free Money

    Declan Lynch

    Travel a road rich in possibilities and fraught with danger ...Journalist Declan Lynch's journey begins with a deposit of €100 in an online betting account, kicking off an honest a...

  • Naked City synopsis, comments

    Naked City

    Ellen Datlow

    Featuring original stories from 20 authors, this dark, captivating, fabulous and fantastical collection, Naked City, is not to be missed! Edited by awardwinning editor Ellen Datlow...

  • A Scientific Revolution synopsis, comments

    A Scientific Revolution

    Ralph H. Hruban & William Linder

    A prismatic examination of the evolution of medicine, from a trade to a science, through the exemplary lives of ten men and women.  Johns Hopkins University, one of the p...

  • Ralph Reed v. John Dillon synopsis, comments

    Ralph Reed v. John Dillon

    Fifth District Court of Appeals of Indiana

    This case comes to us on a petition to transfer the decision of the Court of Appeals in Reasor v. Putnam County (1993), Ind.App., 615 N.E.2d 131. This case began as an action to re...

  • Lou Reed synopsis, comments

    Lou Reed

    Will Hermes

    "The only Lou Reed bio you need to read." The Washington Post"There have been many biographies of Lou Reed, but Will Hermes has written the definitive life . . . He has brought to ...