libkatem's review against another edition
4.0
AMAZING.
Seriously. And as Smith points out, apart from the fate of the royal family, the nobles and boyars' fates aren't really told in the historiography of the Russian Revolution. It was very interesting to follow these families, some who left, but many who stayed.
Seriously. And as Smith points out, apart from the fate of the royal family, the nobles and boyars' fates aren't really told in the historiography of the Russian Revolution. It was very interesting to follow these families, some who left, but many who stayed.
innashtakser's review against another edition
3.0
Rather disappointing, I'm afraid. Admittedly my expectations were very high. Smith, after all, is the author of a wonderful book on Russian free masons Working the Rough Stone. In addition the topic is very interesting and the author was in possession of much data. I can also see why some people enjoyed the book - Smith is an excellent writer. The main problem I had was that he did not really attempt to analyze his data. He ended up telling a very sad story about the tragic fate of Russian aristocrats after the 1917 revolution, but did not really try to analyze the context. After reading this book I do not feel I can better understand what happens with the former elites after a social revolution. In a way the book reminds me of these novels dealing with human rights violations, but not attempting to understand these in political, rather than moral, context. While this is acceptable in a novel, I do feel a historian should have done better.
blauerbuchling's review against another edition
5.0
Ich bin generell eine große Freundin von Smiths historischen Sachbüchern zur russischen Geschichte, und „Der letzte Tanz“ hat mich wieder nicht enttäuscht. Mit dem gewohnten angenehmen Schreibstil führt Smith die Lesenden anhand der Schicksale zweier großer russischer Adelsfamilien durch die beschwerliche Zeit in Russland zwischen 1900 und den 1940ern und beschreibt den unglaublichen Fall und die rücksichtslose Auslöschung der Aristokratie. Sicherlich ist dieses Buch nicht für schwache Nerven; besonders die unfassbare Willkür während der stalinistischen Ära, mit der Leute verhaftet, ins Lager geschickt oder gleich umgebracht wurden, geht ordentlich an die Nieren. Aber es wurde brillant recherchiert, bietet eine großartige Bibliografie für weitere Nachforschungen und beschreibt die Tragödie über den Tod der russischen Aristokratie mit viel Respekt und Wärme.
msgtdameron's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent history/biography of the Russian Aristocracy from WWI through the end of WWII. It's part biography in that it follows two family's, the Shermatoves and Golystins. It's history as weaving the families lives through all the political upheaval of the Revolution, Civil War, NEP, the various show trials of the early thirties, the Terror of the purges, and The Great Patriotic War. This is also an excellent follow up volume if you have read The Romanov's by Simon Sebag Montefiore.
Former people is a great read to get the Russian Aristocracy from the death of the Tsar to the end of the WWII.
Former people is a great read to get the Russian Aristocracy from the death of the Tsar to the end of the WWII.