A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924

by Orlando Figes

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Book Overview: A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924

On the brink of the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, read the most vivid, moving, and comprehensive history of the events that changed the world

It is history on an epic yet human scale. Vast in scope, exhaustive in original research, written with passion, narrative skill, and human sympathy, A People’s Tragedy is a profound account of the Russian Revolution for a new generation. Many consider the Russian Revolution to be the most significant event of the twentieth century. Distinguished scholar Orlando Figes presents a panorama of Russian society on the eve of that revolution, and then narrates the story of how these social forces were violently erased. Within the broad stokes of war and revolution are miniature histories of individuals, in which Figes follows the main players’ fortunes as they saw their hopes die and their world crash into ruins. Unlike previous accounts that trace the origins of the revolution to overreaching political forces and ideals, Figes argues that the failure of democracy in 1917 was deeply rooted in Russian culture and social history and that what had started as a people’s revolution contained the seeds of its degeneration into violence and dictatorship. A People’s Tragedy is a masterful and original synthesis by a mature scholar, presented in a compelling and accessibly human narrative.

ISBN-13	9780140243642
ISBN-10	014024364X
Publisher	Penguin Books
Publication Date	1998-03-01
Edition	Reprint
Language	en
Pages	1024
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“Few historians have the courage to attack great subjects; fewer have the grasp to succeed. This is a book that lets the reader look into the face of one of the major social upheavels of history. . . . A People’s Tragedy will do more to help us undersand the Russian Revolution than any other book I know.”
–Eric Hobsbawm, The London Review of Books

“I doubt there is anyone in the world who knows the revolution as well as Figes does.”
–Norman Stone, The Sunday Times (London)

“An engagingly written and well-researched book. . . . Will stand for some time as a standard of historical scholarship.”
–Steven Merritt Miner, The New York Times Book Review

“Huge in scope, brilliant in vignette, dark and implacable in theme, it is a modern masterpiece.”
–Andrew Marr, The Independent

About the Author

Orlando Figes

Orlando Figes is a renowned British historian and writer, acclaimed for his extensive scholarly research and rich narrative style, particularly in the realm of Russian history. Born to a family of esteemed writers in 1959, Figes earned his PhD in history from the University of Cambridge and over time carved a distinguished career that has earned international recognition. His groundbreaking debut work, ‘A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution’ vividly captured the complex turmoil of 1891-1924, garnering numerous honors, including the prestigious Wolfson History Prize.

Figes’ scholarship has continued to be groundbreaking, often exploring overlooked aspects of social and cultural history. His other notable works include ‘Natasha’s Dance: A Cultural History of Russia’; an innovative exploration of Russian identity, and ‘The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin’s Russia’; a poignant portrayal of Russian family life under Stalin’s oppressive regime. Through his work, he has consistently revealed previously untapped or unconsidered insights, prompting a wider shift in the focus of historical research.

Outside of his writing, Figes is a fundamental contributor to academia as a professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. A vocal advocate for the open exchange of information, Figes has always pushed for increased access to historical resources. Despite facing criticism and controversy at times, Figes remains a widely respected figure for his commendable dedication to his field, setting a high bar for both historical research and storytelling.