What's is about (short version)? Russia. Rocky 4: The Early Years.

What's it about (long version)? Anthony Beevor's ‘Russia: Revolution and Civil War 1917-1921’ looks at the complex history of Russia at one of the most significant periods of world history.

Perhaps this in unlikely to be of much interest at SN however the effect of this period of history is still being felt to this day. Indeed a political and ruling elite, indifferent to an impoverished underclass, torn from power and the inhumanity it unleashes serve as a chilling warning from the past.

One of the strengths of the book is the authors ability to weave together various elements of Russian revolutionary history, where events are set in context and less known historical / infamous figures are brought to life, making the story accessible to everyday readers (like me).

Beevor's sources and references give his work credibility and if you have read his other work (ie Berlin, Stalingrad and The Spanish Civil War) you will have an idea of his style. It also gives a little heard insight into the experiences of normal Russian citizen throughout this time and some of the stories are harrowing, cruel and frequently tragic.

As is to be expected there is the occasional dance over the complexity (and contradictions) that characterize this period. The 'set up' for the revolution and the Tsars role is certainly worth reading as is the later section on the the Siberian March. That pre-revolutionary Russia was an Imperial power among other powers is not mentioned, nor its connectedness to Europe, although there is coverage of its interactions with China and Japan.

Also, the lack of depth about more famous individuals and groups (including the Bolshevik Party hierarchy, Mensheviks, various Cossacks groupings, Czech and Polish Brigades) can lead to misinterpretations, particularly regarding their motivations and I found myself checking other sources to be reminded of details. Trotsky and Lenin feel like footnotes rather than key instruments.

Whilst the timeline is progressive, the geography is less clear (it would help to have a general as well as the specific maps provided at the start of each chapter to highlight the area of interest) and the interconnections among various events and locations could be better presented. The locations and role of Allied forces from post-WW1 Europe & America could certainly be better highlighted, longer and should be discussed.

I try to remember that it is a history book focused on politics and the glimpses he provides of cultural and intellectural life only hint at a deeper story to be told. Certainly the influence on Russian writers like Nabokov and the other emigres are mentioned but not elaborated on and left me wanting more.

It is an informative work that succeeds in many respects, particularly its narrative style and sheer depth of a short but impactful time in history but but it can feel turgid, complex and confusing. I can imagine it sits between scholars who may be underwhelmed by its coverage and some general readers overwhelmed by its detail. Ultimately, while Beevor’s narrative is engaging, it may leave some yearning for a deeper, more specific, dive in their area of interest.

I was left feeling at times that's Boris Pasternak's novel 'Doctor Zhivago' covered some areas better.

5/10