Into Russia's Cauldron An American Vision, Undone by Steven Fisher

 Young Leighton William Rogers did not know what he'd struck. In St Petersburg to work for an American bank started by the ambitious Frank Vanderlip, he faced a Russia full of discontent. The streets were full of beggars; there were riots on the street; food shortages and heavy war losses made the city rife with misery. He had to work long hours, and often run clear of Cossacks and protesting workers, only to go back to a nasty landlady, a very dirty flat and little food. However, the bank itself was opulent with gilded chairs and divans and gold curtains. Rogers wrote that he had 'never seen so much gilt and silk and glittering gloss'.

In the midst of an incipient Revolution, Rogers surprisingly managed to have a good time, going to operas and ballets, and dining out at the cafes. He also moved to a much nicer apartment (which sounds quite grand and spacious) eventually. But he quickly had to learn to avoid danger and make tough decisions about what he should do.

Rogers's analysis of politics and the important names of the time, such as Lenin and Kerensky appears to be sport-on, and remarkably prescient. He describes Kerensky's plight, being caught between the moderates and the mendacious, power-hungry Bolsheviks extremely well. He also doesn't have any time for Lenin, or his being helped by the German government, but he understands the state of the people. He is also very interesting about Empress Alexandra and the situation with Rasputin. He paints a vivid picture of being in Russia at this dangerous time.

I received this ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.