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An Accidental Relationship
Why did a Russian general wear a kilt, who built the Russian navy, why is Captain Cook remembered in Siberia, where did the British discover rhubarb and how did a Grand Duchess come by her Irish brogue?
Ever since the days of Muscovy, British voices have been heard in the courts of the Tsars and hands and minds from the British Isles have shaped Russian history and culture, explored Russia's geography, developed its industry and won Russian souls for Christ.
The British were active right across this vast country from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Some were fascinated by Russia whilst others loathed it. Over the generations, a large number of Anglo-Russian families became established and a successful few made their fortunes or achieved great honours. Others experienced bad luck or extreme hardship and many died there. Rarely have two cultures so unalike interacted so closely for so many centuries.
Now, thanks to Rod Heather, we can rediscover the fascinating story of the remarkable lives and experiences of the British in Tsarist Russia's ‘Wild East'.
Ever since the days of Muscovy, British voices have been heard in the courts of the Tsars and hands and minds from the British Isles have shaped Russian history and culture, explored Russia's geography, developed its industry and won Russian souls for Christ.
The British were active right across this vast country from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Some were fascinated by Russia whilst others loathed it. Over the generations, a large number of Anglo-Russian families became established and a successful few made their fortunes or achieved great honours. Others experienced bad luck or extreme hardship and many died there. Rarely have two cultures so unalike interacted so closely for so many centuries.
Now, thanks to Rod Heather, we can rediscover the fascinating story of the remarkable lives and experiences of the British in Tsarist Russia's ‘Wild East'.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2014
1 person want to read
About the author
Roderick Heather
7 books1 followerFollowing an honours degree in Economics from Sheffield University in 1967, the author spent almost thirty years working for various manufacturing businesses in the UK and overseas. In 1995 he moved to Tatarstan in Russia, leading a team of international consultants at a large automotive company and in 1997 he became an advisor to the UK Foreign Office and the Department for International Development covering Russia until 2002. He subsequently worked as a management consultant on various projects in Russia and Ukraine and since 2001, he has been a member of the Flood Risk Management Committee for Wales. He was awarded an MBE in the 2018 Queen's New years Honours List.
Born in Royal Leamington Spa, the author spent his early years in Canada and has since lived in Switzerland, France, the USA and Russia and has travelled to seventy different countries. The author has written two other books about Russia, The Iron Tsar and Russia from Red to Black as well as the autobiographical The Summer of '56. He is married with three adult sons and now lives in Chester.
Born in Royal Leamington Spa, the author spent his early years in Canada and has since lived in Switzerland, France, the USA and Russia and has travelled to seventy different countries. The author has written two other books about Russia, The Iron Tsar and Russia from Red to Black as well as the autobiographical The Summer of '56. He is married with three adult sons and now lives in Chester.
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