The Black Russian

by Vladimir Alexandrov

"The Black Russian" is the incredible true story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, born in 1872 to former slaves who became prosperous farmers in Mississippi. After his father was brutally murdered, Frederick left the South and worked as a waiter in Chicago and Brooklyn. Seeking greater freedom, he traveled to London, then crisscrossed Europe, andin a highly unusual choice for a black American at the time went to Russia.

Because he found no color line there, Frederick settled in Moscow, becoming a rich and famous owner of variety theaters and restaurants. When the Bolshevik Revolution ruined him, he barely escaped to Constantinople, where he made another fortune by opening celebrated nightclubs as the "Sultan of Jazz." However, the long arm of American racism, the xenophobia of the new Turkish Republic, and Frederick s own extravagance landed him in debtor s prison. He died in Constantinople in 1928."

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Russia, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Race

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

I grew up in New York City in a Russian émigré family and wanted to be a scientist from an early age. However, after getting bachelor's and master's degrees in geology, I decided that I'd learned enough about the natural world but didn't understand myself or other people. My solution was to switch to studying literature and the humanities, which resulted in my getting a Ph. D. in Comparative Literature from Princeton. This helped, and the quest continues. After teaching in the Slavic Department at Harvard, I moved to Yale in 1986, where I continue to teach courses on Russian literature and culture. I’ve published academic books and many articles on various Russian writers and topics. The Black Russian was my first book for a general audience, and I found the process of researching and writing it so fascinating and compelling that I want to do another one like it. I’m now investigating several topics: some involve the American Civil War; others--the Russian Revolution and the civil war that followed it.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the son of former slaves (his brother was born a slave) who grew up on his parent's prosperous farm. They established the first African church in the area. But eventually they lost everything to the racism of an enormously wealthy white man they had called "friend" and moved as paupers to Memphis where his father was very brutally murdered.

Frederick moved to Chicago and trained as a waiter, became manager of bellboys at a top hotel in his early twenties. Then he took off. First across the States, the Europe and eventually settled in Russia where there was no racism against skin colour, in Russia it was the Jews that were the subject of discrimination. Frederick became as rich and famous as his customers in his upscale restaurants and clubs, and also much loved as a caring and generous employer. He married (three times), had children and took Russian citizenship renaming himself Fyodor Fyodorovich Tomas.

And there the story would likely have had a happy ending but for him having to flee the Bolshevik Revolution having been denied help by the Americans. After much tribulation he ended up in Turkey, in Constantinople (now Istanbul) where he introduced jazz and once again became the darling of the dining-out and clubbing set. His own prolifigacy, problems with the new very xenophobic Turkish government and their restrictions reduced him to poverty. The long arm of American racism, in the shape of the diplomats in the Consulate and the State Department who could have confirmed his American citizenship and offered him help, left him to die friendless and sick in a Turkish prison.

When Frederick Thomas died in 1928, his passing was noted by the New York Times who called him "the Sultan of Jazz" but other than that, his sparkling, colourful, extravagantly adventurous life was ignored. There was no taste at the time in the US for celebrating Black achievement.

Fyodor Fyodorovich Tomas's son Mikhail lived in France and changed his surname to Thomass. Some of Frederick's grandchildren and great grandchildren live under that name in Paris.

The book is wonderfully well-written, based on solid research and will one day make a fantastic film, or better, tv series. It's a 10-star read that is as exciting as any thriller, and as heart-warming as any story of poor boy made good by his own talent, humour and strenuous efforts.

[Dem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The Black Russian is the incredible true story of Frederick Bruce Thomas (or Fyodor Fyodovovich Tomass as he later reinvented himself) , born in 1872 to former slaves who became prosperous farmers in Mississippi. Frederick left the South and worked as a waiter in Chicago and Brooklyn. Seeking adventure and freedom , he made his way to London, then travelled Europe, and eventually ended up in Russia where he made his fortune.

This is a fascinating story and a journey of the changing political and cultural landscape of the early twentieth century in Russia and Constantinople. The research into Frederick Thomas's background is excellent and we learn so much from his journey from America through Europe to life in Russia where the Bolshevik Revolution ruined him and he barely escaped with his life and family to Constantinople in 1919. Starting from scratch, he made a second fortune by opening celebrated nightclubs that introduced jazz to Turkey.

I came across this novel while looking for a book on audible and it drew me in from the first chapter as they narration was excellent. A rag to riches story and a book that is entertaining and historically interesting.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fascinating story of Frederick Bruce Thomas (or Fyodor Fyodovovich Tomass as he later reinvented himself) who was born in the Deep South the son of freed slaves and who ended his life in Constantinople. This meticulously researched biography follows his life from his birth in 1869, when it appeared he would have the limited life chances of all black people in the South. However, for Thomas that was certainly not to be. He went first to the cities, ending up in New York, before travelling to England. Europe was a much more accepting and tolerant place for black people and Thomas went to Paris, Belgium, the Riveria and Italy, working in hotels and restaurants before travelling to Russia.

When Frederick Thomas arrived in Russia it was 1888 and the Russian Empire was entering its final years, although nobody could predict how quickly and violently it would collapse. Thomas took up his usual jobs in hotels and restaurants in St Petersburg, Odessa and Moscow, before settling in Moscow. There were very few black people living in Russia, but there was no racial prejudice against him, as there were many Slavs and other races in the country. In fact, if there was prejudice, it was aimed at the Jewish population and Thomas found that he was able to marry and set up in business. Soon he, along with other business partners, was running several successful nightclubs and restaurants to the intense surprise (and barely concealed chagrin) of visiting white Americans.

This then is the story of his life as a Russian, where he went so far as to ask to become a subject of the Tsar. This action would come back to haunt Thomas when revolution came and he found himself hated, not for his colour, but for his wealth. He fled the country, with so many others, to try to recreate his life in Constantinople. However, he was older, Europe was in turmoil and life was harder. Still, there is just so much to admire in this book, about this amazing man. This is really part biography and part history, with the Russian Revolution seen from the interesting perspective of an outsider. The author does a wonderful job of recreating an amazing time in history and the story of a man who was not content with his lot and decided to go out and create a new life for himself. Highly recommended.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Bruce Thomas was born into slavery on the Mississippi Delta after the civil war his parents became landowners and business owners. When Frederick was young his parents were scammed out their businesses and an act of violence sent Frederick out into world to find freedom, wealth, and happiness. American racism sent Frederick off to Europe were he found acceptance and fortune. He ended up in pre-Soviet Russia were he became a rich restauranteur and nightclub impresario. But with the rise of the Soviet Union Frederick's luck ran out and he was forced to abandon everything he worked for and flee for his life.

The Black Russian was a fascinating read. Frederick Thomas was an extraordinary man who didn't let obstacles get in his way. Its a shame that Frederick had to leave America in order to be treated like a human being. I also found it interesting that Frederick didn't again experience the racism he faced in America until the Communist rise of the Soviet Union. Under Soviet rule Frederick was once again treated like a second class citizen because of his race.

Vladimir Alexandrov did an extraordinary job of painting a clear picture of the world of and life that Frederick Thomas lived.

A must read if you want a different take on the black experience post Reconstruction.

[Patrice Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read too many biographies but I was excited to read The Black Russian because of its title and star Frederick Bruce Thomas. Although I hadn't heard anything about Thomas, my interest in a black Russian trumped his notoriety or lack thereof. The Black Russian tells the story of a man born in 1872 to freed slaves. His parents Lewis and India's farm in the Delta, became very prosperous. Of course, this didn't sit well with the times and their family was taken advantage of by a rich landowner. They fled their home in Mississippi to Memphis. It is because of these very circumstances that as an adult Frederick Thomas sought refuge in Europe.

After criscrossing and learning very useful trades in Europe, Thomas decides to go to Russia. In 1899 he makes the voyage and the rest is history... but not really. Alexandrov could have easily written this without Thomas, but the use of Thomas makes the story real and relatable. Thomas initially went to Europe to escape America but not for criminal reasons. He left because he wanted to be able to live like any human should be able to: Free. He chose not to live in Mississippi and risk getting lynched or in the poverty of the Chicago and New York slums. He wanted more and found that going to Europe would be his best bet.

Once arriving, the heavy cloak of his skin color was not the same burden as it was in America. His skin color was merely a way to describe his physical attributes. I love this! The hate he felt from Americans on account of his skin being black, did not exist in the countries he traveled to throughout Europe. In Russia and Constantinople, it was the same case. I should stop here because I don't want to give away the whole biography, which is powerful in it's own right.

Alexandrov helps the reader who isn't familiar with Russian history get a grasp of what was happening around Thomas during his time in Russia. The most detailed era is during the Russian Revolution of 1917. I noticed the strong cultural messages in this biography that are extremely relevant even today. There was mention of America's irony and how they abhorred the Russian's anti-semiticism (and rightfully so) but at that point in history, 1905-, the use of Jim Crow laws and the treatment of Chinese citizenship being blocked by racist laws proved just how hypocritical American's can be. How can America be such a huge beacon of light for the world when they won't change the problems they have?

Ultimately this is a biography worth reading of a man from humble beginnings who went to Europe and became successful. And then the Russian Revolution changed the rules dramatically. A man who was ousted because of his race was once more ousted because of his class. I think many will find this well researched biography an entertaining read. I couldn't help but be interested in this man's life. A black Russian is a rare thing and I'm glad the interest in wanting to know their experience, led me to this title.

[Lit Folio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had to be one of the delightful surprise readings of the year for me. I read a brief review of this, and simply put the title on my hold list at the library. There were only a few of us in the queue for this one, so when it became available, I thought, oh what the heck, let's give this a try...well...I read and I read with utter fascination. Everything was illuminating here: the fact that this Black man's parents were so tenacious and successful as farmers in rural Mississippi after the Civil War was compelling reading enough. The fact that they won lawsuits against greedy white competitor-landowners, quite another. All I can say is: what an inspiring platform for a young Negro boy growing up in such an milieu to place his dreams on.

I greedily read on..and what a gorgeously written work this is!

Alexandrov takes us through Fredrick's (the soon to be Black Russian) journey through the corridors of ambition, starting as a waiter and moving up to Maitre'd' and then on to London, Paris, and finally Moscow--where he prospers as a nightclub/restaurant owner.

I see a fine film in the making on this amazing individual beating extraordinary odds. Loved this read and I'm recommending to my fellow history-buffs, left and right. A brilliant find.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Bruce Thomas was a son of former slaves. He traveled in the US and Europe learning food and valet services from the bottom up. In Russia he parlayed these skills into ownership of fashionable dinner and entertainment clubs, only to have his work and wealth taken from him in the Bolshevik Revolution. This is the story of his amazing life.

Writing this book was an obvious challenge for author Vladimr Alexandrov. There is little archival support to document Thomas’s early life. There is no birth certificate (later no passport), no school records, no news accounts and very little personal correspondence. He worked before the days of pay stubs and presumably paid rent in cash. Had his parents not litigated when they were swindled out of their land we might not know anything of his life in the US.

Alexandrov traces Thomas to Europe where more open attitudes towards race allowed him to breathe more freely. In Moscow at the turn of the century the rich were very rich and Thomas created establishments (Maxim’s and the Aquarium) that were perfectly planned to entertain them. Thomas became very wealthy very quickly. The Bolsheviks came almost as quickly as the money, and you follow his flight to Odessa (where he owned a villa) to Constantinople. He started again, re-establishing a Maxim that flourished in the short lived Occupation.

This short book fleshes out this narrative. Since this story not well known and it reads like a novel, I leave it at the above synopsis so future readers can enjoy the pace of the book.

Perhaps it cannot be known, but I would have liked more information on Thomas’s family. His business demanded his presence in the prime time family hours. With all the wealth, I was surprised that there was almost no boarding school, perhaps the step-mother, who later hounded Thomas for money, wanted to keep her influence through the children. There does not seem to be any family survivor in a position to “keep the flame”… hence no known plaques, statues or landmarks.

I would imagine that Frederick Bruce Thomas is not the only child of former slaves that did well abroad at this time in history. With Europe’s turmoil lasting through the first half of the 20th century, they probably, like Thomas, hardly left a footprint. Hopefully we’ll see more biographies like this in the 21st century; admittedly, the writers will have some deep digging to do.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is the kind of history I love! Vladimir Alexandrov has unearthed the most extraordinary life, of a man no-one would ever have heard of otherwise, and spun it into a book I simply could not put down. Frederick Bruce Thomas wasn't famous, he didn't move in exalted circles or participate in events noted by history, but his own life was remarkable enough on its own, quite apart from the turbulent times he lived in, and both he and this book are worthy of each other.

Frederick was born the son of slaves in the Deep South, but he escaped the racist boundaries of the United States as soon as he could, working his way through Europe as a waiter, valet and maître d', moving from country to country, absorbing the culture and influences. Along the way he learned fluent French, picked up Italian and German, before finding himself in Tsarist Russia, where his colour was no longer the barrier to success it had been in his native America. He earned his first fortune through nightclubs, alcohol and property investments, married, became a respected member of the bourgeoisie and gave up his American citizenship. He lost everything in the Russian Revolution, fleeing Odessa with his family (and second wife) on board an American vessel, hiding the fact of his having given up his citizenship. He landed up in Constantinople, where his energy and ambition earned him his second fortune, opening another nightclub that quickly became one of the hottest spots in postwar Constantinople - before the Turkish Revolution threw his affairs into chaos once again.

Frederick's ability to overcome the limitations of his birth, to escape a country that condemned him to second-class status, or worse, and find his own fortune, not once but twice, makes his a story truly worth telling. Vladimir Alexandrov tells it with real flair and sympathy, and you can sense the author came to have real affection for his subject - and indeed it would be hard not to. Frederick's is a classic rags-to-riches story, and some of the twists and turns of his life almost defy belief. I was tremendously sorry to come to the end of this book and this journey with Frederick.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unforgettable biography -- a real gem of a story about a brilliant, ambitious black man who found great fortune in Russia. Alexandrov clearly researched his subject meticulously and has grew quite fond of Frederick Bruce Thomas. He brings Thomas' incredible story to vivid life against the backdrop of pre-revolutionary Russia. I wouldn't be surprised if this book is adapted into a major film. It's an utterly fascinating story.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Black Russian is a must to experience. Aside from Frederick’s awe-inspiring business acumen built on intelligence, charm, and courage, this account teems with historical references of multifaceted affairs taking place all over the world, and is weaved into an unforgettable account.

Yes, the passport 'situation' raised my brows several times, but overall I have no argument. This work is simply too Outstanding!

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's style is engaging from the first paragraph. The inevitable movement of the Russian revolution is presented both the broader sense (Bolsheviks, French military intervention, desperate refugees) and street-level details (roaming criminal gangs of Odessa amid food shortages and growing tensions throughout the country). Frederick Bruce Thomas, a Black American, faced his own potential losses, including a Swedish wife and four children and the ability to live a life free from American-style racism , including a career as a wealthy theater owner in Moscow. Thomas and his family sought to flee the forthcoming revolution and seek shelter in the United States -- but in 1919, an independent Black man, let alone one in an interracial marriage, faced dangers peculiar to the U.S. Alexandrov fascinates the reader with a well-researched biography, presenting a compelling narrative. Thomas followed his own sense of adventure and quest for freedom at a time when it was extremely difficult for Black Americans to do so. This book may be of interest to fans of Langston Hughes' "The Big Sea", in which Hughes recounts his own travels to post-revolutionary Russia and Central Asia.

Alexandrov provides intriguing details about people and living conditions, as well as a historical context for the remarkable events of this biography in ways that would appeal to the students at the academic library where I work. Readers of "The Black Russian" may feel inspired to read more about the Russian Revolution, thanks to the author's handling of this little-known but important story.

[Paul Brandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second outstanding book about aliitle known,but remarkable
black man.The first was General Alex Dumas,The Black Count,by Tom Reiss.I gave that book 5 stars.Well here is another amazing man,Frederick Bruce Thomas.Parents were born into slavery,after emancipation became sucess landowners.Were swindled out of their land
by a corrupt racist. Their son Frederick lives for a while in Chicago,
then New York working as a waiter.From there his adventures really begins in Europe and Russia. Yes a black man in Russia at the dawn of the 20th century. Thomas becomes a rich nightclub owner,he had it soo
much better in Moscow,then in very racist America.
Oh what a fine film this would be! Calling Denzel,Will and Oprah,you need to read this great book. Cheers to you,Vladimir Alexandrov!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well...the first thing I want to say is all praise to the Lord on high for helping me push and finish reading a book! My old school Reading Buddies know it has been a struggle. I haven't completed a book or a review in eons. I am grateful to be getting back on track and hopefully rediscovering my love of books and the written word. A friend of mine when I unloaded my shame of not reading but being sucked into the wonderfully colorful world of streaming television consoled me by giving me this theory. Tv and movies, although inspired by the written word are mindless. When you don't want to think and contemplate, one usually vegetates in front of the Tv. It's not a bad thing but it's easier to get lost there. Which I do believe is true. I think I'm ready to think and be present again... Welcome back the me who reads. Let's start the review.

This book jumped out at me the first time I saw it here on someone's reading list. "A black man in Russia in the early 1900's what the what?!" I thought. Was he born there like Hans J. Massaquoi ? I had read Destined to Witness:Growing up Black in Nazi Germany years ago and am still shocked by his reality and the sheer miracle of his survival. But a perusal of the book jacket synopsis clarified my confusion and peeked my curiosity. No, Mr. Frederick Bruce Thomas was once one of ours. Ours meaning an American. Ours meaning a Black American. Ours meaning also of ex-slave ancestry. I had to know. Because although he left (even before reading the book one knows the motive) he is a part of the diaspora and not only does his story need told but deserves known. In classic "Frederick" flamboyance he would probably host a gala of a party around this book about himself at his new club.

I have hinted but do not want to giveaway the astonishing story of Mr. Frederick Thomas and his successes in Europe. This you need to read but won't be sorry at all for devoting the time. It is almost inconceivable how he left the Jim Crow south as one thing and metamorphosed in Europe as another. Although I have heard many blacks found a new freedom in Europe in those early days, it is still startling to learn at what degree. In the country of his birth Frederick would always be judged by his skin and not his abilities. Frederick went to Europe and blossomed. He became a millionaire. Even into his last days he never stopped coming up with ideas that he was allowed to try and succeed or fail regardless of his race. This is a type of rags to riches and back to rags and then again with the riches story. It is not without its hard times or its sorrows. But so is life. This is not to praise the man for his life or his choices because this is a true story, how can one critic a life. We all make the decisions of our life based on the cards we are dealt. I do believe that this is a book about one extraordinary life that is a worthy read. Not only does the author give us this story of this remarkable man but manages to tie in the history of the world he and his family lived in. Therefore not only giving the reader an exceptional biography but a considerable history lesson as well.

I give this book a 4 out of 5. I definitely recommend this book. I'd like to thank the author Mr. Vladimir Alexandrov for writing this book. When looking at the length of the citing pages from page 243 to 306, 63 pages, one realizes just an inkling of the depth of research that must have been put into this project. (There is still more information on the author's blog.) All I can say is thanks and much respect to the craft.

[Read In Colour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to get my hands on this!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life Frederick Thomas lived! He was born in Mississippi in 1872, the son of former slaves. Amazingly confident in himself, he made and lost several fortunes as he moved around Europe, Russia and Turkey during the turbulent times of the early 20th century. Alexandrov brings the dramatic changes in this region before and after world War I to life. His description of the Russian Revolution through Thomas's eyes is fascinating. Well worth reading.

[Jaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Bruce Thomas, child of former slaves, was born in 1872 in Mississippi and died in Constantinople in 1928. His native intelligence and business acumen resulted in his phenomenal success in Europe and Russia as a restaurant entrepreneur. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, he opened jazz nightclubs in Turkey.
He found none of the discrimination in Russia that he was born to so, speaking several languages, he was able to accumulate several fortunes and lose them to political unrest over the course of his lifetime.
This biography reads like a novel and is beautifully footnoted. It's a fascinating account of a fascinating man.
The contrast between "no color line" in Russia in 1899 and the existence of Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow of the 1960s is worthy of mention. The Soviet Union provided indoctrination in Marxism-Leninism and free education of African students while housing them separately from the majority of Russian students. Difficult to tell whether the separation was racial or just a facet of Soviet paranoid thinking about foreigners.

[Elena Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of the intriguing and amazing life of a black American, born in the late 1800's, who became a wealthy entrepreneur - restaurant and club owner - in Tsarist Russia and then lost it all in exile both from Russia where he had become a citizen and from America.
What a research job the author accomplished, and he wrote it up beautifully. The story of Thomas's life carries you along through some of the most significant and dramatic events of the early 20th C. - WWI, the Russian Revolution, the birth of modern Turkey amidst the carving up of the Ottoman Empire that in large part has left us with a large part of the volatility of that region the world must cope with today. I enjoyed reading to the end to discover how the ever-resourceful Mr. Thomas makes it through the rest of his life, even though it ended in tragedy. However, he never gave up and had circumstances been different, I would have bet on him to make yet another comeback. The background of his own remarkable parents and their struggle to make a way, and prosper, in post-Civil War Mississippi is also fascinating. These are the stories that aren't known or told enough. Many thanks to Vladimir Alexandrov for bringing Thomas's story to light. I also appreciate the tone the author (who I believe from his name is not African-American) took in portraying the brutality to people's lives caused by racism in the U.S. Even-handed and matter-of-fact, which brings out the tragic effect of such horrible bigotry on the lives of people who had so much potential to do so much more for themselves, their families, their country.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took about a full week to read and absorb this wonderful and amazing story. I came across this read by chance--and it seems much of the time these sorts of reads end up being favorites, and this is certainly one of them. Fascinating, as this man started out in Mississippi with smart and resourceful parents who were former slaves. Turns out, they were quite good at farming and envied by many.

After some legal ordeals (and actual cases where they won), the family moves north. The protagonist(Fredrick Thomas) trains as an upscale waiter and does his job well, so well, he goes on to New York, then Europe and on to Russia. It is a story that is so beyond belief, yet you can't help but see the old saying: "truth is stranger than fiction" exemplified to perfection as it is here.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. I did find myself (as usual) ashamed of America's racism. While the author took care to point out that other countries had their racist and anti-semitic issues as well, it doesn't help me to understand that this happened all over. (I am not entirely sure this should be in the past tense.) Seeing how it impacted this man's life and family, even while he was thousands of miles away in several other countries, was quite interesting and illuminating. The intersections with historic events were even more interesting. I greatly enjoyed the details of before and during the Bolshevik Revolution as well as the aftermath of World War I in Turkey.

[Al Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandrov does a great job in researching and piecing together a complicated story on an interesting life. Mississippi to London to Moscow to Constantinople, it's a jaw-dropping globe trot into a history of maddening 20th century tragedies.

Hopefully it doesn't get lost that Alexandrov, in the telling of the lives of Thomas' parents, illustrates the sad case of Reconstruction's failure.

The details might've gotten too heavy in setting up the Bolshevik Revolution, but they were critical in illustrating Thomas' rise and fall in the last days of the czar.

A powerful primer on the racial caste system in early 20th century America and how it compared to other Western nations.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a FirstRead.

The Black Russian tells the life story of Frederick Thomas, a black man born in 1871 in Mississippi. In young adulthood, he travels around, working and picking up skills that will help him once he settles in Russia, becoming a well-known theater and restaurant owner. Where little is known at points of Thomas' life, the author supplements with observations made from others who experienced the same thing. This book was an interesting read about the life of a man I would otherwise not have known.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells the almost unbelievable story of Frederick Thomas, son of former slaves, who becomes one of the most famous and richest night club owners in pre-revolutionary Moscow and the first person to bring Jazz to Turkey. The author's careful research adroitly reconstructs Frederick's life and emphasizes how the tumultuous events of 1917 impacted Frederick's world. This is a strong portrayal of a forgotten historical figure. Vladimir Alexandrov's blog contains additional information about the biography: click here

[Christopher Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinematic experience

I enjoy world history and this book not only presents the individual accomplishments and failures of an unlikely protagonist, but also gives detailed and humane glimpses of one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history. The descriptions of old Russia and Turkey coupled with matter of fact scenarios of multicultural existence is a wonder within itself. The possibilities that this book conveys makes this an important addition to my Black American History library.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was on the journey the whole way, and what an amazing journey it was to be on from the segregated south (U.S.) to traveling all around Europe. The descriptions and pictures lent even more to the adventure.

I only wish there were more answers in the end, I felt like we went so many places and were left alone in the end. I still recommend reading this wonderful book. Thank you Vladimir Alexandrov for your work on this piece.

[Bettie]

To look into

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Alex Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty incredible story of success and hardship that manages to intersect the Reconstruction-era American South, the Russian revolution, and the founding of the modern Turkish state.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing to think that the king of Moscow nightlife in the years leading up to the Bolshevik Revolution was a Black American raised in Mississippi and Memphis. Unfortunately, this book is not without its faults. There is little documentation of Frederick Thomas' life and he was known to twist facts. The result is a book that reads like and extra-long magazine article with a lot of filler designed to stretch it out. Strangely, the author mentions that Thomas was not the only Afro-American living in Moscow at the time and he touches upon Thomas' business dealings with Julia Dent Grant, the granddaughter of Ulysses Grant, who was married to a wealthy Russian count and owned property in Moscow. It seems he had the makings of a better book. Where Alexandrov succeeds is in capturing the chaos of Russia during those years as well as in Istanbul where Thomas would go to re-invent himself after losing the wealth had accumulated in Moscow. Thomas was first discriminated against in America for his skin color, then in Russia for his social status, then in Turkey for simply being a foreigner. It's a sad story of a man constantly on the run and constantly trying to re-invent himself. Also fascinating, Alexandrov's accounts of Thomas' dealings with American diplomats who had to treat him as both a "Negro" and an American. The post-scripts on Thomas' descendants are practically worthy of another book. For all of its faults, it's still worth the read.

[NAMIK SOMEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siyah Rus bitti. Frederick Thomas ‘ın ilginç yaşam öyküsü, Mississippi deltasında, kölelikten yeni kurtulmuş olan anne ve babasının çiftliğinde başlar. Özgürlük, yasalarla saglansa da, siyahlara karşı sürdürülen ırkçı yaklaşımlar, Frederick’i ülke dışında arayışlara yönlendirir.


Avrupa’da bir çok şehirde garsonlukla başladığı iş hayatında, zeki ve çalışkan kişiliğiyle önemli bir birikim sağlar. Ancak, gözünü siyahlara karşı ırkçılığın hiç yaşanmadığı Rusya’ya çevirmiştir. Burada eylence sektöründe çok büyür. Moskova'da Akvaryum ve Maksim adıyla iki büyük eylence merkezi açar. Bu sırada Rusya’da önce 1. Dünya Savaşı, sonra da Menşevik ve Bolşevik Devrimleriyle önemli değişimler olur. Bu değişim süreci kitapta farklı bir bakış açısıyla çok güzel anlatıyor.


Rus vatandaşı olmasına rağmen, Amerikan vatandaşlığından da ayrılmamıştır. Bolşevik Devriminden sonra İstanbul'a kaçar. Burada yeniden ve sıfırdan başladığı iş hayatında, ünlü Maksim Gazinosunu kurar. İstanbul bacağında da Cumhuriyet’e geçiş süreci ve İstanbul’daki değişim, çok güzel anlatıyor. Kapitülasyonların sağladığı büyük avantajların yitirilmesi ile mekanlar hızla el değiştiririr.


Bir kurgu olmamasına rağmen oldukça akıcı ve sürükleyici bir kitap. Araştırmacılar için de oldukça geniş bir kaynakça içeriyor. Ben beğendim. Size de tavsiye ederim.

Goodreads notum : 4

Siyah Rus / Vladimir Alexandrov /

İş Kültür Yayınları


Namık Somel / 9 Nisan 2016 / Trabzon

namik.somel.blogspot.com

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Russian (cute title, huh?) tells the life story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, who was born in Mississippi in 1872 to former slaves. As a young adult, Thomas moved to Chicago, then New York and later London, where he worked as a waiter. Thomas eventually landed in Moscow, where he became one of the most prominent and successful night club owners in the city. Before the war (WW I) he tied his fortunes even more tightly to Moscow with further investments in real estate. With the 1917 revolution, he ended up losing just about everything he had, and escaped to Constantinople as a refugee. There, he had some further success as a night club operator.

The book describes post-Civil War life for former slaves and their descendants in Mississippi, and contrasts this with the lack of racial prejudice met by Thomas in most of Eurpope.

[Cynthia Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Historical. But,not,very well composed. I couldn't get involved.