RUSSIA 1917: The February Revolution

by George Katkov ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 15, 1967

To the Sacred Memory of the Author of Doctor Zhivago"" --an unusual dedication, yes, but this is an unusual book. The history of the Russian Revolutionary period, as Mr. Katkov is well aware, has been more ""bedevilled by unconscious distortion and deliberate falsification"" than any other of modern times. Everyone with facts at his disposal has had reasons, personal or ideological, to suppress some and twist others. Documentation is spotty at best, often dubious, and nonexistent at numerous key points. In telling the story of the unexpected uprising that overthrew the Czar and brought in a Provisional Government too weak and confused to long withstand the Bolsheviks, Mr. Katkov has devoted more than half his pages to background on Russian politics; but, since this is a subject with characters ranging from the incredible Rasputin to the astounding Malinovsky, all of it is stimulating. Of special interest are the chapters on ""the Jewish question,"" German intervention, and the effects of World War I on national psychology and morale. Thus, when he comes at last to his straightforward account of what happened in ten confused, fantastic days, George Katkov may retain some biases, but he has certainly done his best to make his ""sorry tale"" speak to contemporary readers.

Pub Date: Feb. 15, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION