Orwell criticism is unfair

To say Orwell's sole experience of real struggle was his brief excursion to Catalonia underestimates his bravery and sacrifice.

His sharp criticism of Stalin's foreign policy is no doubt accepted by most on the left, including I suspect many communists of all varieties.

Karl is quite right to attack the reactionary conclusion of Animal Farm however.

For all the distortions of Stalinism, ordinary people enjoyed a great social and economic empowerment, which can only be fully appreciated now it has been smashed on the anvil of the "free" market.

Nasser Mashadi

London N17