Homage to Catalonia

But Orwell actually comes out better than most in the wash. It changed his life. He was shot in the throat on sentry duty. Wrote a wonderful book about it, in which he doesn't mention being shot, I don't think, but called Homage to Catalonia.

Great book, but it changes his worldview completely.

Go read about the international brigades and the anarchist militias of Spain. Read George Orwell's homage to Catalonia.

But remember that it's a single dude's perspective who had no understanding of the broader tactical situation because he was just a dude fighting.

Orwell was there for most of this part. He took part in the fighting in Barcelona, and he was with the POUM.

He reserves tremendous criticisms for the Communist Party, in large part because they murdered some of his friends.

Critics will point out that the CNT and the POUM undermined coordination and unity in the republic, and that the violence certain anarchists carried out against the clergy in particular helped dissuade foreign governments from wanting to help.

Go read about the international brigades and the anarchist militias of Spain. Read George Orwell's homage to Catalonia.

But remember that it's a single dude's perspective who had no understanding of the broader tactical situation because he was just a dude fighting.

There's a great book called homage to Catalonia by George Orwell