# Nestor Makhno — The Bolshevik Myth character guide

> Nestor Makhno in The Bolshevik Myth by Alexander Berkman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Makhno, young Makhno

**First appearance:** 0030-xxv-nestor-makhno

## Snapshot

Ukrainian anarchist guerrilla chief whose peasant army fights Whites and Reds alike, insisting he clears the field rather than rules it.

## Who they are

To peasants of the South he is their truest friend, one of their own; to Moscow he is a bandit and counterrevolutionary; to the anarchists at the communal table he is the Revolution's last living expression. He proclaims free speech and empty jails wherever he takes a town, and refuses Trotsky's order to march against the Poles, seeing in it a scheme to strip his district of defenders. Whether he is liberator or warlord is the argument the narrator cannot settle.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_friendship_

Nestor Makhno is a fellow anarchist commander and comrade-in-arms with the narrator.

### [Yossif](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters/yossif)

_professional_

Nestor Makhno and Yossif interact as anarchist military leaders coordinating efforts.

### [Yossif](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters/yossif)

_professional_

Nestor Makhno and Yossif interact as anarchist military leaders coordinating efforts.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_friendship_

Nestor Makhno is a fellow anarchist commander and comrade-in-arms with the narrator.

## In the story

### [A Visit to Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/x-a-visit-to-peter-kropotkin)

Mentioned as having sent provisions to Kropotkin when still friendly with the Bolsheviks.

### [En Route to the Ukraine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxi-en-route-to-the-ukraine)

Legendary figure whose name is invoked in the panic-stricken atmosphere of the Ukraine.

### [XXIII: In Soviet Institutions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxiii-in-soviet-institutions)

Referred to by Petrovsky as a dangerous robber ataman and enemy of the Soviet regime, accused of mutiny and fighting against the Bolsheviks.

### [XXIV: Yossif the Emigrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxiv-yossif-the-emigrant)

Ukrainian anarchist leader, called 'Nestor' by Yossif; defended as a revolutionary who punishes pogromists and offers liberty of speech and press in his territory.

### [XXV: Nestor Makhno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxv-nestor-makhno)

Central figure of the chapter; his life story, military tactics, anarchist ideals, and conflict with the Bolsheviks are discussed.

### [XXIX: Kiev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxix-kiev)

Rumored to be active in the Kiev province.

### [In Various Walks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxx-in-various-walks)

Mentioned by Gallina as eager to meet Emma Goldman and the narrator; leader of the peasant rebel movement.

### [Dark People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxxiii-dark-people)

Discussed extensively by soldiers and peasants; admired for his daring exploits and his promise to protect peasants, but also feared for his reputation of killing Jews and Commissars.

### [XXXV: Returning to Petrograd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxxv-returning-to-petrograd)

Bolsheviki treacherously broke agreement with him; he helped defeat Wrangel but was then attacked by Red forces.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters/nestor_makhno
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/characters