History Extra podcast Hotel Lux: the guesthouse of world revolution
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Jan 8, 2025 
Maurice J. Casey, author of 'Hotel Lux: An Intimate History of Communism's Forgotten Radicals,' dives into the rich tapestry of 20th-century revolutionaries who found refuge in Moscow's Hotel Lux. He recounts the intertwined stories of three families bound by love and idealism. The podcast reveals the emotional lives of these individuals against the backdrop of radicalism, the unsung heroes of revolution who supported change, and lessons of solidarity from historical struggles that resonate in today's quest for justice.
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Research Origins
- Casey's research on Irish women in communism led him to Joseph Freeman's memoir.
- This memoir mentioned an Irish woman, "OB," working in Moscow, sparking Casey's seven-year research journey.
Balancing Levity and Ideals
- The Hotel Lux residents were revolutionaries who also found levity in their situations.
- Casey felt a connection to their blend of humor and serious ideals.
Elise Sabarovsky's Story
- Elise Sabarovsky, a Comintern revolutionary, resided in room 350.
- Her letters revealed vulnerability and anxieties about Stalin's rise.
