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Maid of Baikal
What if a Siberian Joan of Arc had rescued the White Armies at a critical point of the Russian Civil War in 1919?
MAID OF BAIKAL offers an alternative outcome to that war through the intervention of Zhanna Dorokhina, a young woman from the shores of Siberia’s Lake Baikal.
Like the historical Maid of Orleans in medieval France, better known as Joan of Arc, Zhanna displays a charisma and military prowess that win her command of an army to defend her homeland against the Bolshevik Terror.
MAID OF BAIKAL is a richly imagined speculation on the Russian Civil War that vividly portrays its violence, bitterness, and hardship, while telling the inspirational story of a determined young woman who perseveres in the face of overwhelming obstacles and who dies for her beliefs, not knowing whether her dreams will be realized.
SYNOPSIS:
In a quiet town near Siberia’s Lake Baikal, Zhanna Dorokhina turns eighteen as the Russian Civil War rages. She is a bright, headstrong girl, with normal hopes and dreams, but for years, she has heard inner voices. The voices tell her to be virtuous, study well, and nurture her faith, for a great task lies ahead.
Lately, however, the voices have turned ominous, foretelling Russia’s doom if the White Armies fail to crush the Bolshevik usurpers in Moscow. They direct Zhanna to travel to Omsk to alert the Siberian dictator, Admiral Kolchak, and to seek command of an army to besiege Moscow.
When Zhanna informs her father, he thinks her mad. But a young American intelligence officer and his Russian counterpart help win her an audience with the Admiral, and the two young men become her wartime companions.
Though Zhanna and the American officer harbor tender feelings for one another, Zhanna must put those feelings aside, because her voices demand that she remain pure.
During the coming months, Zhanna persists despite relentless opposition. Displaying remarkable charisma and military aptitude, she leads her army across vast expanses of untamed forest and steppe, where suffering, violence and treachery await at every turn.
But over time, Zhanna’s obsession with victory arouses powerful enemies. Defying a ceasefire, Zhanna wins her greatest battle, only to ride into a Bolshevik ambush soon after. Held captive, she must endure a vengeful show trial and face the verdict alone, without knowing whether her prophecies will be fulfilled.
MAID OF BAIKAL offers an alternative outcome to that war through the intervention of Zhanna Dorokhina, a young woman from the shores of Siberia’s Lake Baikal.
Like the historical Maid of Orleans in medieval France, better known as Joan of Arc, Zhanna displays a charisma and military prowess that win her command of an army to defend her homeland against the Bolshevik Terror.
MAID OF BAIKAL is a richly imagined speculation on the Russian Civil War that vividly portrays its violence, bitterness, and hardship, while telling the inspirational story of a determined young woman who perseveres in the face of overwhelming obstacles and who dies for her beliefs, not knowing whether her dreams will be realized.
SYNOPSIS:
In a quiet town near Siberia’s Lake Baikal, Zhanna Dorokhina turns eighteen as the Russian Civil War rages. She is a bright, headstrong girl, with normal hopes and dreams, but for years, she has heard inner voices. The voices tell her to be virtuous, study well, and nurture her faith, for a great task lies ahead.
Lately, however, the voices have turned ominous, foretelling Russia’s doom if the White Armies fail to crush the Bolshevik usurpers in Moscow. They direct Zhanna to travel to Omsk to alert the Siberian dictator, Admiral Kolchak, and to seek command of an army to besiege Moscow.
When Zhanna informs her father, he thinks her mad. But a young American intelligence officer and his Russian counterpart help win her an audience with the Admiral, and the two young men become her wartime companions.
Though Zhanna and the American officer harbor tender feelings for one another, Zhanna must put those feelings aside, because her voices demand that she remain pure.
During the coming months, Zhanna persists despite relentless opposition. Displaying remarkable charisma and military aptitude, she leads her army across vast expanses of untamed forest and steppe, where suffering, violence and treachery await at every turn.
But over time, Zhanna’s obsession with victory arouses powerful enemies. Defying a ceasefire, Zhanna wins her greatest battle, only to ride into a Bolshevik ambush soon after. Held captive, she must endure a vengeful show trial and face the verdict alone, without knowing whether her prophecies will be fulfilled.
645 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2017
613 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Preston Fleming
10 books65 followersPreston Fleming writes realist thrillers set in exceptional times and places, from Siberia during the Russian Civil War (MAID OF BAIKAL), to explosive 1980s Beirut (DYNAMITE FISHERMEN), to a near-future gulag-style labor camp in Utah (FORTY DAYS AT KAMAS). His experience as a diplomat, lawyer and corporate executive, combined with his ultra-lean writing style, lend rare authenticity to his stories. All of Preston’s six novels have received praise from KIRKUS REVIEWS and other publications. Preston is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but left home at fourteen for boarding school and has been on the move ever since. Today he and his wife live in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains with a Belgian Sheepdog they rescued after it bit too many humans in Delaware. Connect with Preston at his website (prestonfleming.com) or on Amazon.com, GoodReads.com, LibraryThing.com, Twitter or Facebook. To learn about new releases and free book giveaways, follow Preston on Bookbub.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 6, 2018
DNF. Well... During the Civil War there were no do-goodies. My great-grand-aunt's 1st husband was killed by White Army (cause he wanted no part in that War), her 2nd husband was shot by Red Army for the same pacifist reason, her 3d husband died in Soviet prison (he stole smth to feed the family), and she, herself, was killed by fellow habitants of the village she grew up in (cause she resisted 'nationalisaion' of her clothes and some cutlery); their 4 or 5 kids went to orphans' home and promptly disappeared during the WW2. While the father of this great-grand-aunt was outseas, having not returned (yet!) from the fronts of the WW1, due to severe crippling wounds, her mother was beaten half to death by (surprise!) an outpost of White Army because she refused to hand over to them some very valuable horses. And it was no single ocasion, when a family was punished by every imaginable combatant. The Civil War was a free-for-all, there were no Warriors of Light there, no matter what their colors of choice were (White, Red or Green). Yes, there were Greens as well in there. And they also had nice slogans and did crazy terrible stuff.
I'm sure I'll invest more time in the future to finish it but it's an extremely naive and underresearched try at alternative history, to put it mildly. Though it's a good thing the author demonstrates their understanding that the USSR did not appear out of nowhere on an empty space. They do realise there was a terrible Civil War, which took lots of lives. That deserves a couple of stars of the rating.
The fact that there were foreign hands involved in the Revolution and the Civil War is undisputable, however. Financing of Revolution, foreign ideology - none of those were of Russian origins. Funny, huh, how Europe and its outposts have first helped to install the Soviets in the first place and now keep screaming how bad the communists have been. Very much like some other international threats 'treatment' that we see with our own eyes. And the approach is always the same:
Step 1) 'you motivate + finanse + organise them',
Step 2) 'you declare them a threat',
Step 3) 'you fight against them, as ineffectually as possible'. Is that some kind of money-laundering scheme underway? It's certifiably easier to obtain illicit profits during times of unrest.
And it's easier to govern over people scared of some incomprehensible outer threat. Which is, once again, done via repressing the information about Russia, its history and development. Really, some people have asked me in the past why I think Russia is Christian. Weird question, huh? Very illustrative of their knowledge about what Russian history actually is. Others right away admit they haven't been taught anything at any educational institutions about Russia. Why is that? Why is the World history being kept from the mass audience?
TBC. I'll finish this fairy tale later.
I'm sure I'll invest more time in the future to finish it but it's an extremely naive and underresearched try at alternative history, to put it mildly. Though it's a good thing the author demonstrates their understanding that the USSR did not appear out of nowhere on an empty space. They do realise there was a terrible Civil War, which took lots of lives. That deserves a couple of stars of the rating.
The fact that there were foreign hands involved in the Revolution and the Civil War is undisputable, however. Financing of Revolution, foreign ideology - none of those were of Russian origins. Funny, huh, how Europe and its outposts have first helped to install the Soviets in the first place and now keep screaming how bad the communists have been. Very much like some other international threats 'treatment' that we see with our own eyes. And the approach is always the same:
Step 1) 'you motivate + finanse + organise them',
Step 2) 'you declare them a threat',
Step 3) 'you fight against them, as ineffectually as possible'. Is that some kind of money-laundering scheme underway? It's certifiably easier to obtain illicit profits during times of unrest.
And it's easier to govern over people scared of some incomprehensible outer threat. Which is, once again, done via repressing the information about Russia, its history and development. Really, some people have asked me in the past why I think Russia is Christian. Weird question, huh? Very illustrative of their knowledge about what Russian history actually is. Others right away admit they haven't been taught anything at any educational institutions about Russia. Why is that? Why is the World history being kept from the mass audience?
TBC. I'll finish this fairy tale later.
May 30, 2018
War, no matter the countries or people involved, is always bad. There are always those among the troops on both sides having wicked hearts and use the excuse of a weapon in their hands to do the evil in their hearts. Then there are those that don't want to kill anyone, "enemy" or not but are unwillingly compelled to do their duty. Like many other books about a war, this one focuses on a handful of characters and how the war impacted them on a personal level. It tells of honest patriotism, betrayal, corruption, love, jealousy and hate-- basic human emotions that everyone in the world feels. Though Maid of Baikal is speculative fiction, many of the characters did indeed exist (photos of them included in book). The Maid, however, is fictional. The book spins a tale, asking what if Russia had had its own Joan of Arc during the Russian Revolution and would the outcome have been different? The Maid of Baikal, or Zhanna Stepanovna Dorokhina fulfills that role. She is just a young schoolgirl from a rural northern outpost in Siberia while at prayer hears a voice that tells her she has a mission to save her country and people from the cruel tyranny of the Bolsheviks. As days go by, angels and saints appear to her, guiding her and revealing more of her destiny and telling her of things that have happened that she could not possibly know otherwise. More and more people are convinced and she develops a following and troops of demoralized, disappointed soldiers are given hope by her message. After numerous victories liberating towns that amaze the military hierarchy, tragedy develops.Maid of Baikal is a fine drama portraying those with pure hearts wanting only good for others, and those who have hidden agendas for their own careers, and willing to stoop to any evil deed to further that as well as protect the corruption they are involved in. It recounts the involvement of foreign nations bankrolling the war (Bolshevik and the White troops as well), with the aim being solely economic. Maybe I am much too an emotional person, but chapter 22 and into 23 had me weeping. Such betrayal! Such deceit! The author included a playlist (one song for each chapter) which I downloaded and listened to while reading the book to gain the full experience the author wished to impart. That in itself was a minor education (in a small way) of Russian classical music and composers. I did enjoy the book very much, and wish to thank the author for a copy of it in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!
April 21, 2018
Weird book.
October 31, 2022
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/maid-of-bai...
Fleming does a generally good job of weaving these into the established historical narrative, so they feel an organic whole. If I had to pick a flaw, it might be that the film spends to much time with Captain du Pont. I would have preferred more about the Maid, rather than his romantic entanglements. However, this does give a sense of observing history, rather than being part of it.
Fleming does a generally good job of weaving these into the established historical narrative, so they feel an organic whole. If I had to pick a flaw, it might be that the film spends to much time with Captain du Pont. I would have preferred more about the Maid, rather than his romantic entanglements. However, this does give a sense of observing history, rather than being part of it.
July 6, 2019
This is a well-rendered story that takes a very unexpected turn, leading me to speculate about the influence a single person with the right skill-set can have if they're in exactly the right place at the right time. The Maid of this story, a sort of latter-day Joan of Arc, effects dramatic changes in the course of Russian history leading to an end to Bolshevism and the triumph of the White forces. How might such a thing happen, especially if the change was precipitated by a young woman?
The characterizations are detailed and believable, especially the story's narrator. Most of the story is told through the eyes of an American on military assignment with the Russian Railroad Authority -- a mere cover for his intelligence activities. From a story-telling perspective, I was bothered that at times my hero / narrator was excluded from a meeting, but the narrative continued to tell me what happened behind closed doors -- it's always better if an author can avoid that kind of hanky-panky. The author's knowledge of the times and events surrounding post-WW1 Siberia, and the back-and-forth warfare between the Reds and the Whites, far exceeded mine, and had verisimilitude ...and so I was very surprised when the Whites prevailed!
The characterizations are detailed and believable, especially the story's narrator. Most of the story is told through the eyes of an American on military assignment with the Russian Railroad Authority -- a mere cover for his intelligence activities. From a story-telling perspective, I was bothered that at times my hero / narrator was excluded from a meeting, but the narrative continued to tell me what happened behind closed doors -- it's always better if an author can avoid that kind of hanky-panky. The author's knowledge of the times and events surrounding post-WW1 Siberia, and the back-and-forth warfare between the Reds and the Whites, far exceeded mine, and had verisimilitude ...and so I was very surprised when the Whites prevailed!
December 13, 2017
Maid of Baikal by Preston Fleming is a speculative historical novel, as it states in the book’s title. Fans of traditional historical fiction should be warned that this is a “What if?” novel based on the question “What if the White Russian army won the Russian civil war?”
The story of Maid of Baikal centers around Zhanna Dorokhina, a romanticized version of Joan of Arc who strives to beat back the Bolsheviks through military force. Like Joan of Arc, Zhanna believes she is on a divine mission as she leads her army, in this case the White Russian army against the Bolsheviks. The battle scenes were well written and compelling, and I found myself rooting for Zhanna to win. I felt as though I was there in Russia since the descriptions were so vivid and specific.
As an avid reader of historical fiction I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. Normally I don’t care for alternative historical fiction because it defies the reason I like to read historical fiction, which is that I get to learn about the past. Even though some of the details presented in Maid of Baikal are the result of imagination, there is still a lot of history to learn here about the Bolsheviks, the Russian civil war, and Russia itself.
Creating a Tolstoy-like epic, Fleming shares a realistic, vivid world within the Russian civil war with rich, multi-dimensional characters that reveal various aspects of humanity as seen in war time, all made more fascinating by the question “What if?” If you love historical fiction and you’re open to speculative circumstances different to that of historical facts, then you will enjoy Maid of Baikal by Preston Fleming. Readers with an interest in Russia and Russian history will also enjoy this novel.
The story of Maid of Baikal centers around Zhanna Dorokhina, a romanticized version of Joan of Arc who strives to beat back the Bolsheviks through military force. Like Joan of Arc, Zhanna believes she is on a divine mission as she leads her army, in this case the White Russian army against the Bolsheviks. The battle scenes were well written and compelling, and I found myself rooting for Zhanna to win. I felt as though I was there in Russia since the descriptions were so vivid and specific.
As an avid reader of historical fiction I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. Normally I don’t care for alternative historical fiction because it defies the reason I like to read historical fiction, which is that I get to learn about the past. Even though some of the details presented in Maid of Baikal are the result of imagination, there is still a lot of history to learn here about the Bolsheviks, the Russian civil war, and Russia itself.
Creating a Tolstoy-like epic, Fleming shares a realistic, vivid world within the Russian civil war with rich, multi-dimensional characters that reveal various aspects of humanity as seen in war time, all made more fascinating by the question “What if?” If you love historical fiction and you’re open to speculative circumstances different to that of historical facts, then you will enjoy Maid of Baikal by Preston Fleming. Readers with an interest in Russia and Russian history will also enjoy this novel.
October 17, 2017
I read an advance copy of this book and am glad to finally be able to share how much I enjoyed this novel. It's an alternate history setting the story of Joan of Arc in Siberia during the Russian Civil War. I'm not a fan of Joan of Arc but was drawn in to this tale which centers on a young military man, Ned Du Pont, sent as an adviser but who is actually gathering intelligence for his country. Ned gets drawn in to the conflict and people in ways he did not expect. I myself only have a general knowledge of Russian history at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution and none of Siberia. This increased my interest in this part of the world. Siberia has a much more vibrant culture and history than being a place simply for Russia to send its political prisoners. One of things I liked best about this book is the interplay between all of the various countries and their representatives in the Russian Civil War. I find this extremely relevant today as this shows the difficulties of foreign 'advisers' and their real interests. Ned and the others he meets have differing goals that were often different from what they were telling each other. This book is epic in scope and successfully focuses on fully developed characters with their own motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. It's a great read.
October 16, 2017
I received a free advance review ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. ‘The Maid of Baikal’ gives the reader an interesting take on the 1918-1920 Russian Civil War with an alternative ending, one in which the Whites (Siberians) win the war contrary to recorded history. The Maid of Baikal is a very likable young woman who has many similarities to Joan of Arc. This book starts at a slow pace as the author backgrounds the story and develops each character fully. I found the map of 1918 Russia and the map of the 1919 Urals Front to be very helpful in orienting me to place as I read. This is quite a long read but I found myself always hurrying to come back in order to find out what was going to happen next. This is a well-written novel with a well-developed plot. There is prejudice, discontent, espionage, brutality, political machination, and tragedy. The author portrays war with all its violence, hardships, and pain. ‘Maid of Baikal’ is a look at what could have been. I found this novel very interesting and well worth the read.
October 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. Not far into it, I kept thinking of it as a parallel to Joan of Arc. I don't know that much about her or about Russian history, but this was quite a compelling story. Nice smooth engaging flow. Kept my interest from start to finish.
Favorite characters were Zhanna (strong yet innocent), Ned (wasn't sure what to do about Zhanna except follow her when he could) and least favorite Lebedev (a good portrayal of a villain). It took a while with the various battles and scenes and trying to keep them straight in my head, but well worth the read.
All of the basic elements of the story were quite believable, engaging and compelling for me. Liked the point of view throughout the story. OUTSTANDING historical fiction. Highly recommend. I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review. Have read other books by this author and am following him.
January 11, 2018
This is an awesome tale set during the Russian Civil War, when various groups each fought seperately against the Bolsheviks attempting to set up their Godless communist state. A young woman, claiming to hear the voices of angels, meets with Kolchak, one of the so-called "White" leaders opposing the Reds, and at first gives him advice. Later, she leads Kolchak's Siberian army into combat... but palace intrigues begin to come into play.
This alternate history novel looks at what might have been, had those who opposed the Reds had better leadership and were united in their opposition. Fleming obviously knows this period of history and Russia's old pre-communist culture and it shows. He includes photos of some of the historical figures (including the notorious Sidney Reilly) and excellent maps. Even if you are not interested in Russian history it is a gripping tale.
This alternate history novel looks at what might have been, had those who opposed the Reds had better leadership and were united in their opposition. Fleming obviously knows this period of history and Russia's old pre-communist culture and it shows. He includes photos of some of the historical figures (including the notorious Sidney Reilly) and excellent maps. Even if you are not interested in Russian history it is a gripping tale.
February 5, 2018
I received this book through Librarything.com Members Giveaway and the author to give an honest review. This book is an alternate historical fiction. It is based in Russia during 1914 to 1918. I found this book to be very interesting. It was also like a Joan of Arc retelling except it was in Russia. I love this book!!!!!
October 13, 2018
FYI - I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Years ago I read a book that mentioned that Woodrow Wilson had sent US troops to Russia. He was never my favorite president, and this adventurism in Siberia just confirmed my feelings. I mention this because it is one of those US servicemen, a fictional Ned DuPont, who is the main character in this book. At least now I know why Wilson did what he did - it was to support the White Russians against the Red Russians.
This novel is a bit utopian, and a bit alternate history, asking how the world might have been different if the White Russians had had the benefit of a Joan of Arc leader instead of the corrupt and dysfunctional leadership it actually did have. A lot of "what ifs" in this book, while at the same time it describes the military movements that took place very realistically. The author did an outstanding job of drawing his characters, describing scenes, and moving the plot forward. The book was a bit long, but for me, the great plotting made me not want to put it down.
Many of the characters in the novel were actual figures alive at that time such as Admiral Alexander Kolchak and the other White Russian generals. Most of the characters that we come to care about such as the Maid of Baikal herself, Zhanna Dorokhina, Ned DuPont, Igor Ivashov, and some others are fictional.
Some reviewers seem to be disdainful of the author's imaginings about how things might have been different given the characters and politics of the White Russians in 1919 - but that is what alternate history is all about. Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel.
Years ago I read a book that mentioned that Woodrow Wilson had sent US troops to Russia. He was never my favorite president, and this adventurism in Siberia just confirmed my feelings. I mention this because it is one of those US servicemen, a fictional Ned DuPont, who is the main character in this book. At least now I know why Wilson did what he did - it was to support the White Russians against the Red Russians.
This novel is a bit utopian, and a bit alternate history, asking how the world might have been different if the White Russians had had the benefit of a Joan of Arc leader instead of the corrupt and dysfunctional leadership it actually did have. A lot of "what ifs" in this book, while at the same time it describes the military movements that took place very realistically. The author did an outstanding job of drawing his characters, describing scenes, and moving the plot forward. The book was a bit long, but for me, the great plotting made me not want to put it down.
Many of the characters in the novel were actual figures alive at that time such as Admiral Alexander Kolchak and the other White Russian generals. Most of the characters that we come to care about such as the Maid of Baikal herself, Zhanna Dorokhina, Ned DuPont, Igor Ivashov, and some others are fictional.
Some reviewers seem to be disdainful of the author's imaginings about how things might have been different given the characters and politics of the White Russians in 1919 - but that is what alternate history is all about. Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel.
February 21, 2019
Preston Fleming's novel "Maid of Baikal" is a mixed blend of historical fact and imaginary folk lore. The story takes place during the 1919 battles between the White Russian Army and the rebel Communist Red Army. In the book, Fleming writes of the mythical 18 year old "Maid of Baikal" who leads the "Whites" to victory after victory using only the power of her spiritual "voices" as guidance and inspiration. Supporting her throughout her heroic adventures is a young U.S. Army Captain and a rugged White Army officer who team up to protect and enable her as she leads her troops in battle and inspires the whole world. Full of action, romance and sadness, the book is as intriguing as it is logic defying. A good test of the imagination.
August 30, 2023
Never have I been given the option of playing appropriate musical selections from YouTube to accompany my reading. This was a unique and very pleasant experience for me, as I was able to find conductors of world class symphonies, as well as gifted pianists to fill the roles for each chapter. What a different Russia and world we might have had if the a White Russians had defeated the Bolsheviks! Nevertheless, much about Russian culture and history wove itself into this imaginative account of what it might have been. First class storytelling, with just the right amount of plausibility to make it compelling.
July 27, 2020
Compelling tale by a gifted author
Though I love history I’m not keen on battleground detail. I picked this book to read in spite of this owing to its Russian setting and comparison with Jeanne D’Arc. I am thankful that I did. I rate it as highly as Dr Zhivago. Its fine word craft, characterisations and deep analysis made the accounts of military engagements central to the story, thus not too tedious even for me. I found this book impossible to put down. I will be looking for the author’s other works.
Though I love history I’m not keen on battleground detail. I picked this book to read in spite of this owing to its Russian setting and comparison with Jeanne D’Arc. I am thankful that I did. I rate it as highly as Dr Zhivago. Its fine word craft, characterisations and deep analysis made the accounts of military engagements central to the story, thus not too tedious even for me. I found this book impossible to put down. I will be looking for the author’s other works.
October 15, 2018
Maid of Baikal by y Preston Fleming is an alternate history of the Russian Civil War in 1918. It is a localized alternative history while most of the ones that I have read have a more global view. It centers around Russia having its own Joan of Arc in its revolution. It is well written and keeps your attention.
May 3, 2019
Quite Good Read
It is not very often that an excellent story brings tears to my eyes, but this one did. And when this happens, one knows they are reading something profound from an author with writing skills that excel well beyond the rest. The Maid of Baikal lives on in my heart.
It is not very often that an excellent story brings tears to my eyes, but this one did. And when this happens, one knows they are reading something profound from an author with writing skills that excel well beyond the rest. The Maid of Baikal lives on in my heart.
May 7, 2020
I find Russian history fascinating. I have many Ukrainian friends so I understand the events related in the book. Having the suggestions of musical scores to hear with each chapter is unique. The story line follows a young virgin as she leads the White Army in 1918/19 civil war. Book makes me want to travel the Transiberian Railroad to see the sites he describes.
October 27, 2020
A not-badly-written alternative history of the Russian civil war that followed Russia’s Exit from WW I and the March and October revolutions. Sort of fun. Borrowed *heavily* from the story of Jean d’arc, however, and that lack of creativity was a little disappointing.
Fun for me to read about many places I’d traveled in Siberia, though!
Fun for me to read about many places I’d traveled in Siberia, though!
September 13, 2021
I would not recommend this book. most of the first 20% read like a high school history book, then the story started to get more interesting. The story would be interesting and then fall back into the history lesson. The actual prose was not too bad. The book should have ended at the end of war, the follow on chapters took all of the good people and made them into war profiteers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
thought provoking story
The author tells the Russian civil war story but this time the whites win thanks to a Siberian Joan of Arc. He follows the Joan story fairly closely. He provides good footnotes to explain Russian terms and some historical events you may not be familiar with. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
The author tells the Russian civil war story but this time the whites win thanks to a Siberian Joan of Arc. He follows the Joan story fairly closely. He provides good footnotes to explain Russian terms and some historical events you may not be familiar with. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
June 21, 2018
Historically interesting
This story reminded me of some of the hardships the Russians endured. My grandmother was from the Vladivatok she really never told us what it was like. I
The story helped visualize what she endured.
This story reminded me of some of the hardships the Russians endured. My grandmother was from the Vladivatok she really never told us what it was like. I
The story helped visualize what she endured.
October 10, 2018
A great premise that employed a lot of poetic license & sanitized, prettified history. Nevertheless, I couldn't stop reading: it's so compelling & well-paced that you don't want to put it aside. I received a Kindle edition from a Goodreads giveaway.
February 15, 2019
Imaginative history
The US role in the war in eastern Russia between The REDS and WHITES at the end of WW I is largely unknown. The author has grafted a fantasy onto a fascinating but ultimately inconsequential piece of history in a way that at times confuses the reader
The US role in the war in eastern Russia between The REDS and WHITES at the end of WW I is largely unknown. The author has grafted a fantasy onto a fascinating but ultimately inconsequential piece of history in a way that at times confuses the reader
February 18, 2019
Great book for history buffs
Fascinating character development that really helps the reader make sense of complex Russian history after WWI. Adds insite to the roles of the vsrious allies
Fascinating character development that really helps the reader make sense of complex Russian history after WWI. Adds insite to the roles of the vsrious allies
February 20, 2019
An action packed story of the Russian Civil War
The author has written a very intriguing and entertaining story of both courage and deceit in the government and the military leader ship. Very enjoyable story.
The author has written a very intriguing and entertaining story of both courage and deceit in the government and the military leader ship. Very enjoyable story.
April 8, 2019
Excellent read
Full Rich characters and well researched. While revisionist history is usually not my style the proposed alternative to stalinist tragedy is a fascinating and lovely gift to the reader.
Full Rich characters and well researched. While revisionist history is usually not my style the proposed alternative to stalinist tragedy is a fascinating and lovely gift to the reader.
May 17, 2020
Very Interesting story
I knew this book was about the Russian Civil war but it was a little too much fighting for me. I loved the hero in the book. Still the writing was excellent!
I knew this book was about the Russian Civil war but it was a little too much fighting for me. I loved the hero in the book. Still the writing was excellent!
June 8, 2020
Lake Baikal called me
Though the size of a novel about Russia is always daunting, this book seemed to fly by as I read it. The storyline and the geography blended together to create a feeling of hope.
Though the size of a novel about Russia is always daunting, this book seemed to fly by as I read it. The storyline and the geography blended together to create a feeling of hope.
July 27, 2020
Well Worth Reading
Books like this are the reason alternative history is fun to read. Great story telling and good, solid character builds.
Fleming's other books, especially Dynamite Fishermen, are also great reads.
Well done.
Books like this are the reason alternative history is fun to read. Great story telling and good, solid character builds.
Fleming's other books, especially Dynamite Fishermen, are also great reads.
Well done.
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