W. Bruce Lincoln (1938–2000)

This is the third volume in W. Bruce Lincoln's (non-fictional) trilogy of lead-up to the Russian Revolution, the Revolution itself (and a little thing called World War I) and the Russian Civil War, when the Soviets ill-advisedly tried to promulgate their revolution by force of arms (see Itzhak [Isaac] Babel's Red Cavalry) to the West before they'd truly consolidated their victory. This book was an eye-opener for me: I'd no idea that the immediate aftermath of the October Revolution was so show more bloody and so very much in doubt, or that it was peopled by a host of such fascinating characters (most of which Lincoln regrettably -- if understandably -- mentions only in passing). Reading this book gave me both a greater understanding of the moiling ferment that spawned the Soviet Union; if Lincoln's earlier volumes cover the October Revolution's conception (In War's Dark Shadow: The Russians Before the Great War) and birth (Passage Through Armageddon: The Russians in War and Revolution), Red Victory can be said to cover its post-partum depression, if not its afterbirth. Lincoln is not the best historical stylist I've read, but he's far from being dusty or pedantic. show less

This is a great history of the Romanov dynasty that teeters between biography and the novel. In some places, it is literally a page-turner. It's not as analytical as some historical texts, but Lincoln provides more than enough information to allow the reader to make his/her own decisions. Every detail is perfectly groomed for presentation, and few stones are left unturned. This book is accessible (ie, those with little background in Russian history will find it intriguing and highly show more readable) and informative. The only complaint I have is that, occassionaly, it jumps around in time in peculiar ways (but this is not something that really causes one to get lost or confused). show less

If you're looking for the definitive work on this most interesting historical figure, this book is as close as you'll probably get. Tsar Nicholas I was an extremely significant and interesting Russian leader, who is too often over-looked today and or dismissed as simply an overly authoritative despot. He was an absolute autocrat, but as a man and in his historical context such simplifications are insulting.

Lincoln's style of writing is very enjoyable, it is presented in a way that is show more approachable for someone with no previous knowledge of the subject, but is still satisfying to the more passionate follower of the history. Lincoln covers Nicholas' life from birth, to the circumstances which led to his ascension, to his unfortunate last years as Tsar (the period which tends to be erroneously represented as what his entire 30 year reign was like) and everything inbetween. He discusses the historical context and significance of everything and paints a realistic picture of Russia's 'apogee of autocracy'.

This book is an excellent read, highly informative and well worth paying for. It should provide the modern history student with a properly balanced assessment of the reign of the eternally impressive Tsar Nicholas I. show less

Well written account of a very violent and sad period of Russian history. It compares favorably with other works (Crankshaw, Salsbury, Massie in particular) on the end of the Romanov dynasty. Russian history is about as tragic and bloody as any novel, and this is brought out admirably by the author.