Rasputin: A Life

(Hardback)

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A biography of Grigory Rasputin, the Russian holy man who hastened the collapse of an empire. The book recounts Rasputin's journey from his peasant origins in Siberia to his powerful position at the right hand of Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra. The author uses newly available sources and puts to rest the many myths surrounding his character. He documents the precise degree of influence Rasputin exerted on the Russian government, as well as the conspiracy that took Rasputin's life, the murder itself, the investigation and the unmasking of the culprits.

Reviews

In this rich and learned book. Fuhrmann presents a detailed biography of Rasputin well integrated with discussions of the religious social, and political context of the times. Even if the subject were not lurid and fascinating, this book would provide useful insight into Russian life at several levels--from Siberian peasantry to the court in St. Petersburg. Fuhrmann makes no attempt to argue a thesis or explain the significance of his material other than brief comments, e.g., that Rasputin helped destroy an empire.' There are no chapter summaries nor is there a concluding chapter. Fuhrmann's narrative technique depends much on direct quotation from primary souces. Control of the sources and the literature and the author's willingness to offer clear choices in judging some of the more controversial aspects of Rasputin's career help make the work very useful. Among many contributions worth noting is Fuhrmann's clear exposition of Rasputin's relationship with the official church, explained more thoroughly and sympathetically than in any other account in English. In sum, the book offers sound scholarship on important matters and will make a useful contribution to almost any collection on modern Russia. College, university, and public libraries.-Choice
The author distinguishes fact and probability from myth in the life of Grigory Rasputin, a Siberian peasant known as a profligate, religious leader, and faith healer. Fuhrmann documents how Rasputin's ability to aid the hemophiliac heir, Alexis, led to his power to influence Empress Alexandra and through her, Nicholas II, Russia's last tsar. He shows that Rasputin's control over appointments in both government and he church led to their increased ineffectiveness and corruption, as well as popular distrust of them. Although covering much of the same material as Alex DeJonge's The Life and Times of Grigorii Rasputin, this study is better documented and more scholarly. Recommended for general and area studies collections.-Library Journal
"The author distinguishes fact and probability from myth in the life of Grigory Rasputin, a Siberian peasant known as a profligate, religious leader, and faith healer. Fuhrmann documents how Rasputin's ability to aid the hemophiliac heir, Alexis, led to his power to influence Empress Alexandra and through her, Nicholas II, Russia's last tsar. He shows that Rasputin's control over appointments in both government and he church led to their increased ineffectiveness and corruption, as well as popular distrust of them. Although covering much of the same material as Alex DeJonge's The Life and Times of Grigorii Rasputin, this study is better documented and more scholarly. Recommended for general and area studies collections."-Library Journal
"In this rich and learned book. Fuhrmann presents a detailed biography of Rasputin well integrated with discussions of the religious social, and political context of the times. Even if the subject were not lurid and fascinating, this book would provide useful insight into Russian life at several levels--from Siberian peasantry to the court in St. Petersburg. Fuhrmann makes no attempt to argue a thesis or explain the significance of his material other than brief comments, e.g., that Rasputin helped destroy an empire.' There are no chapter summaries nor is there a concluding chapter. Fuhrmann's narrative technique depends much on direct quotation from primary souces. Control of the sources and the literature and the author's willingness to offer clear choices in judging some of the more controversial aspects of Rasputin's career help make the work very useful. Among many contributions worth noting is Fuhrmann's clear exposition of Rasputin's relationship with the official church, explained more thoroughly and sympathetically than in any other account in English. In sum, the book offers sound scholarship on important matters and will make a useful contribution to almost any collection on modern Russia. College, university, and public libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

JOSEPH T. FUHRMANN, a Professor of History at Murray State University, studied Russian history at Indiana University and was a graduate exchange-student at Moscow University.