1917: Red Banners, White Mantle

by Warren H. Carroll

A captivating account that narrates, month by month, the events of 1917. This is popular Catholic history at its finest. The drama of the Great War and the Russian Revolution are juxtaposed with the spiritual dimension of the Age: the diabolism of Rasputin, the Apparition of the Virgin at Fatima, the malignancy of Lenin, the saintly courage of (the now blessed) Charles of Austria. Few standard histories have ever given such a high degree of consideration to the supernatural and the Christian interpretation of history as 1917 does.

Genres: History, Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion

141 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 1981

About the author

Dr. Warren H. Carroll was a leading conservative Catholic historian and author, and the founder of Christendom College.

Reviews

[Samantha B · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent book! I loved the way it brought in the Fatima apparition apropos of the politics and events of WWI in an obvious but not conspiracy-theorist way, if that makes sense. I did think it left it a bit un-resolved, but that was perhaps a function of the way that it didn't make an explicit statement that "the Mother of God caused THIS". Which I appreciate, because there's no way for us to know!

For someone who always had a lot of trouble understanding what the HECK happened in WWI, this book was an extremely understandable explanation, and that was lovely. I feel like I have a much better understanding now.

Blessed Charles. <3 Love him very much. I'm glad he didn't die in the war, but his story is honestly so tragic. One quibble, though: Carroll referred to him as the last Holy Roman Emperor, which, according to my history major friend, is arguable but not entirely correct. But that's just a minor thing to be aware of. :)

It honestly raised a lot of interesting questions for me...questions like "were we [America] the bad guys in WWI"? Which I'm still pondering...

4 stars!

[The Nutmeg · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless Warren H. Carroll for writing this book. There are plenty of WWI histories out there, but most of them don't even mention Fatima. Likewise, there are plenty of books on Fatima, but most of them only mention WWI in passing. THIS brings both areas of study together, seeing them as intrinsically linked.

On the WWI front, Carroll covers:
-) the futile bloodshed in France
-) Charles I, Emperor of Austria (WHY HAD I NEVER HEARD OF THIS GUY) and his efforts to bring about peace (I love him so much)
-) Pope Benedict XV and *his* efforts to bring about peace (I love him, too)
-) Woodrow Wilson, his efforts to stay out of the war/negotiate for peace, and why he eventually brought the U.S. in (and Carroll actually made me...respect/admire Wilson at least a little? he extends way more grace to him than I'm used to from historians, I usually just get the feeling Wilson was a kind of pathetic ninny)
-) allllll the political upheaval in Russia

And can we TALK ABOUT RASPUTIN FOR A MINUTE? My gosh. Creepiest story, no lie, that I have ever heard. And it's true. Like....this is deeply disturbing. The chapter that ended with Rasputin's assassination (too little, too late, to save Russia) just had me whimpering and shrieking so that my family wanted to know what was wrong with me.

The bit in the last chapter that covered Jacinta's and Emperor Charles' deaths had me in tears.

So yeah. Warren H. Carroll isn't just a passionate Catholic historian, he's also a first-rate story teller. Must read more by him. (Also must dig up a biography of Emperor Charles somewhere.)

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The events of 1917 were extreme - apparitions, war and treachery yet, they could have been a whole lot worse (world domination by the communists). Suffering and salvation are related and the Lord is aware of the one and offers the other to the faithful. Good book. Emperor Charles was a truly sympathetic Christian.

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren H. Carroll's "1917: Red Banners, White Mantle," was a different view of history than I was taught. This little history concentrates on a specific time, contrasting four cataclysmic occurrences.
Russia collapses and totalitarianism takes over.
A worldwide pandemic hits.
Europe becomes involved in a war.
Our Lady of Fatima offers hope in Portugal.
Today, in 2020, the world is also enmeshed in natural disasters, terrorism, political dissension, and HATE. I can't help but think Our Lord will send us another message of hope. We can't wait for this year to end, this time to be over, and any succour Our Lady can offer.
That's how Warren Carroll depicts the people in this history. Pope Benedict XV offered to broker peace but his plans and ideas were not accepted. (Reminds me of Fratelli Tutti, Lumen Fidei, Evangeli Gaudiuim, and everything else Pope Francis wrote.) The world did not listen to the Vicars of Christ then, nor now, and worse, they aren't listening to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of the key players leading up to the implementation of the USSR. In particular Rasputin, Lenin and Emperor Charles of Austria. The edition here is 140 pages , but my copy of the same book/year/publisher was 156 pages. The Fatima detail was mainly taken from the book by Walsh. The events of Russia’s fall to Communism and the 1917 period of World War I are contrasted spiritually with the saving message of Fatima.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Really enjoyed how it entwined all the happenings around the world at that time, so we can understand how they affected each other. I didn’t know that Lenin did not want Stalin to replace him and most likely Stalin was responsible for his death.

[Suzanne Brayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books i have ever read. I am already a Warren H. Carroll fan. But this was the best of his books i have read.

The book puts the apparitions at Fatima Portugal in 1917 in their context. Carroll carefully describes the important leaders of The Great War in the setting of each of the apparitions. He tells about the Popes efforts to negotiate peace and Our Ladies answer to him through the CHildren. Lots of good World War I history here.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual but very enlightening short and interesting history of the circumstances surrounding 1917 and its fateful and upsetting history. I have always avoided Russian Revolution history, but this was a valuable introduction to that event in history for me. Contextualizing it with other events occurring at the same time was a helpful approach.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the religious and political events of 1917, although I wish Dr. Carroll could have went into a bit more detail. Also, the author seems to have a too-favorable opinion of Woodrow Wilson; based on what I've read in Angelus Press' Puritan's Progress series, Wilson's intentions concerning the ending of the war in Europe were far from noble.

[Steven]

Great and gripping introduction to the first world war, the communist revolution and the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fátima, Portugal, and how they all came to a head in 1917. Carroll writes history that leaves you on the edge of your seat.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect introduction to the tragic events of WWI; and all the tragedies that would follow. short, well-researched and written, and causes the reader to want to learn more...

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible resource material.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I heard so much about Fatima but never knew the real story. It was very spiritual awakening and strongly recommend it to anyone Catholic and non-Catholic to read it.

[ShepherdsDelight · Rating 4 out of 5]

75/100 (= 4.0/6) ≈ 4 Stars