Petrograd 1917. Caught in the Revolution

Recognized as a standout work by both the Telegraph and Evening Standard, this captivating book sets itself apart among the numerous publications marking the centenary of the Russian Revolution. Saul David from the Daily Telegraph applauds it for its originality, meticulous research, and outstanding construction. Helen Rappaport crafts an engaging tale of the Russian Revolution, portrayed through the vibrant and varied perspectives of foreign observers in Petrograd, formerly St. Petersburg. Simon Sebag Montefiore, known for "The Romanovs," praises her for her vivid and comprehensive narration.During the tumultuous months between the February 1917 revolution and Lenin's Bolshevik takeover in October, Petrograd was a city in chaos. It was through the eyes of foreign visitors—journalists, diplomats, businesspeople, governesses, and volunteer nurses—that the turmoil was observed. From their vantage points in hotels, bars, and embassies, they chronicled the disorder around them in diaries and letters, providing rare insights into these momentous events. Among these witnesses was an English nurse who had previously endured the Titanic's sinking, the African American valet of the US Ambassador from the Deep South, and suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, who visited Petrograd to inspect the Women's Death Battalion led by Maria Bochkareva. Through the use of these foreign eyewitness accounts, Rappaport brings the intense and emotional episodes of the Revolution to life, immersing readers in the atmosphere and experiences of that turbulent era.