The novel "Animal Farm," by the controversial author George Orwell, was written in the 1940's after World War II - three decades after the Russian revolution of 1917. It was first published in 1948 after being rejected several times. This critically acclaimed book begins during the reign of the incompetent drunkard Farmer Jones who manages his farm badly and neglects the animals. The wise boar, Old Major, gives the animals a speech about rebellion and fighting for the good of all animals ("4-legs good. 2-legs bad."), then promptly dies. The animals, led by the pigs, carry out Old Major's wish: they rebel and begin to run the farm. As time progresses, however, the pigs take more and more control. The pigs slowly but surely break all of the seven commandments laid out by Old Major to give guidelines for the rebellion that all the animals could understand and refer to. Soon the pigs impose a reign of terror and slavery similar to that of Mr. Jones. In fact, by the end of the book, they walk on their hind legs – like humans, like Mr. Jones.
             The book appeals to a wide audience, as it can be read on many levels. It can be read at face value as an animal story, or on a deeper level – as the story of the Russian Revolution, revealing the ugly reality of communism. It can also be read as the story of the rise of fascism, or any powerful elite taking control of a popular movement. The revolution and the dreams of a society where all animals could live equally and happily were the thoughts of Old Major – "Weak or strong, clever or simple; we are all brothers." When he feels his time has come, he summons all the animals and tries to pass on the knowledge and wisdom he has acquired in his long life. He explains to the animals, in less than kind words, that unless they rebel they are going to be killed to feed the enemy - humans. The seven commandments are based on the biblical Ten Commandments. T...