<P> Orwell wrote the book between November 1943 and February 1944, when the UK was in its wartime alliance with the Soviet Union and the British people and intelligentsia held Stalin in high esteem, a phenomenon Orwell hated . The manuscript was initially rejected by a number of British and American publishers, including one of Orwell's own, Victor Gollancz, which delayed its publication . It became a great commercial success when it did appear partly because international relations were transformed as the wartime alliance gave way to the Cold War . </P> <P> Time magazine chose the book as one of the 100 best English - language novels (1923 to 2005); it also featured at number 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th - Century Novels . It won a Retrospective Hugo Award in 1996, and is included in the Great Books of the Western World selection . </P> <P> Old Major, the old boar on the Manor Farm, summons the animals on the farm together for a meeting, during which he refers to humans as "enemies" and teaches the animals a revolutionary song called "Beasts of England". When Major dies, two young pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, assume command and consider it a duty to prepare for the Rebellion . The animals revolt and drive the drunken and irresponsible farmer Mr. Jones from the farm, renaming it "Animal Farm". They adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most important of which is, "All animals are equal ." </P> <P> Snowball teaches the animals to read and write, while Napoleon educates young puppies on the principles of Animalism . Food is plentiful, and the farm runs smoothly . The pigs elevate themselves to positions of leadership and set aside special food items, ostensibly for their personal health . </P>

What were the pigs names in animal farm