The Complete Works of Isaac Babel

What a mistake was made by Stalin when he purged Isaac Babel / Исаа́к Эммануи́лович Ба́бель. I would love to read his phantom oeuvre: what he would’ve written had he lived. Expect to use your dictionary and other resources. Also, expect to enjoy the results.

If you have not read Babel, you should. This is a beautiful addition to your library and, as advertised, contains the complete works. Why would you want the complete works? Once your appetite is whet by Red Cavalry, you'll want more. Thus, you might as well buy it in this attractively boxed set.The writing? Gritty and gut wrenching. And unlike the western modernists, easy to understand. No interpretation required. Straight gut punches.I highly recommend!Chris ReichTeachU.com

Highly underrated writer - one of the 20th Century's greats - in an excellent edition.

I bought this book after stumbling upon one of Babel's army stories from the "Red Cavalry" collection. Babel truly is a master of short fiction. I am surprised that I have gone this far in my life and have just now found him.The biographical information provided by his daughter enhances the reading pleasure as well as draws attention to the politics that contributed to self-censorship and eventual assassination from Stalin's henchmen.Babel is the Checkov and the Turgenev of his time: classic Russian Short Fiction at its most beautiful.The only drawback to this extensive collection is its extensiveness. Babel's longer works and plays lack some of the focus and integrity of his short stories. Luckily the short stories make up the bulk of the book.If you can afford it buy the hardcover. It comes in a protective box and I guarantee this is a collection you will want to preserve and cherish forever.

A complete collection of Babel's works is long overdue, especially some pieces that were previously unpublished.

Isaac Babel's works should be read and re-read and re-re-read. At his best, Babel can write such short, simple-appearing sentences that contain a complexity of thoughts that stuns. At his worst, for example the purely propagandistic "blurbs." he is still interesting but less mind-grabbing. It's no wonder Stalin had him shot. Babel would have caused people to think, an always dangerous thing in a totalitarian state. If you like to think and like good writing, The Complete Works are worth a look.

I was delighted to discover this book. Although I was a literature major (and teacher) and have read lots of Russion lit, I had never heard of Isaac Babel. His story is amazing. I have just begun reading his short stories, but I think I will enjoy them.

Babel is a great model for new writers in his ability to place "life on the page." This translation is as complete as they come and well translated for the contemporary American ear.

His stories are a mixture , some good and some not so good. Book bought for my own interest.

I would rate this 9/10, a fantastic book despite it being second hand the book was really good, I would recommend this to everyone (if they are interested in the subjects)