ePub Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd; Russia; 1917 - A World on the Edge by Helen Rappaport in History

Review

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful. Caught in the RevolutionBy S RiazI have enjoyed many of Helen Rappaport’s previous books; such as; “A Magnificent Obsession;” and “The Romanov Sisters;” so I was eager to read her latest work. “Caught in the Revolution;” gives us the first-hand; eye-witness; accounts of foreign nationals in Petrograd during the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.Even before the revolution began; the city was in turmoil. We begin in 1917; with Russia at war and overflowing with refugees. Despite the first world war; and all of Russia’s internal problems; Petrograd was a city which sheltered a large; foreign community; as well as international industry. There was a large community of privileged expatriates; dominated by the highly insular and ultra conservative British Colony; led by British ambassador; Sir George Buchanan. The war also saw this community joined by a number of American engineers and entrepreneurs and; in 1916; a new American ambassador; David Rowland Francis and his enterprising valet; Philip Jordan. There was also the flamboyant French ambassador; Maurice Paleologue. These three headed the expatriate community and their stories are told throughout this book.However; this book is not simply told from the point of view of the great and the good. The unfolding political situation attracted journalists and photographers. Revolution brought unlikely visitors; such as Emmeline Pankhurst; who wanted to encourage Russia to stay in the war; as well as visit women’s groups – including the Petrograd Women’s Death Battalion. Names you will recognise include author; Arthur Ransome; then a journalist. Also; another author; then a spy; was W. Somerset Maugham; sent by the Secret Intelligence Service and given the rather daunting task; “to prevent the Bolshevik Revolution and to keep Russia in the war.” For anyone who was not already aware of Maugham’s experiences as a spy; I direct you to his wonderful book; “Ashenden.”Many in this privileged; expatriate society; were blind to the gathering resentment and hunger in the streets; but others realised the danger. The over-riding belief was that revolution; if it came; would come after the war. Revolution; though; obliterated any thought of war and; when revolution erupted; many foreign nationals in the city were there as witnesses. From nurses to governesses; to bank workers and industrialists; they were all caught up in events. Violence erupted on the streets; food shortages affected everyone and; although many were; justifiably terrified; others admitted that they found it rather thrilling.The initial revolution seemed to result in many Russian workers assuming that ‘Freedom’ was equated with no work. Hotel rooms were no longer serviced; requests in the restaurants met with shrugs and the city dissolved into disarray. Eventually; the violence unleashed in the streets directly affected the foreign nationals; with the Hotel Astoria; where many were staying; being attacked. Those who ventured out faced abuse; or worse. Even something as seemingly innocent as wearing a hat; or gloves; could have you accused of being a bourgeois and justice could be swift. For example; one woman swore a man stole her purse; seeing him shot. When she discovered the missing purse in the folds of her dress; the mob decided that the only possible solution to the mistake was to carry out the same sentence on her…This really is a wonderful read; full of larger than life characters. One of my personal favourites was Sir George Buchanan; who stoutly walked outside amidst the fighting – being caught putting on his coat like a ‘naughty schoolboy’ as he refused to listen to advice. So respected was he; that fighting came to a halt as he walked down the street and erupted again as soon as he had passed by. Still; the perpetual state of uncertainty and disorder affected everyone; as did a city being both slowly frozen and starved. Arthur Ransome was desperate to escape the chaos and futility; stating that; if he did make it back to England his sole interest would be; “gluttony;” while photographer and filmmaker; Donald Thompson; thought that Russia was; ‘going to hell.’This book will really put you in the very centre of the Russian Revolution; with those viewing events being largely impartial and so able to comment on the situation less emotionally. It is also clear that many of those in this book attempted to help the disastrous political situation in Russia before the revolution and; of course; were involved in the finally fruitless attempt to keep Russia in the war after it happened. There were those who refused to be intimidated by events; others who stayed behind voluntarily and others who were stranded by circumstances. Rappaport has done an excellent job of allowing them to tell their story and concludes by telling us what happened to all of the main characters we meet throughout this book.17 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Meticulously researched; as usual. Having the memoirs and ...By CustomerMeticulously researched; as usual. Having the memoirs and reports of diplomats and foreign journalists in the thick of the revolution adds another side to the tragic story.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I Could Not Put This Book Down---I Read it Morning; Noon; and Night!By Roberto Cortéz González; Ph.D.Riveting account!Other reviewers here have already written extensively about Petrograd leading up to the Revolution; so there is no need for me to reiterate their remarks."Caught in the Revolution" makes for absorbing reading.The Map of Petrograd and the Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book serve as a useful foundation.Once I got into the history; I was acquainted enough with the locales and personages to feel the tension and excitement.It was like a film was going on in my head---only this time there were no historical inaccuracies to mar the narrative.For readers interested in the singular place and time of the onset of the Russian Revolution; it is all here.Finishing this book was both sad and a relief.Sad because the story does not end happily ever after---not the fault of the author; of course.Relief because the October Revolution was intense for everyone in Petrograd; and finishing the story was emotionally draining.I will have to rest before I read about the Russian Revolution again. Before I read any World War I related history again; for that matter.