The Black Russian

‘A fascinating tale of culture clash and historical change, researched with energy and written with verve.’

Anne Applebaum, author of Gulag: A History

‘As a reader, I found myself fascinated by this well-written story. As a writer, I found myself envious of Vladimir Alexandrov for having discovered such a remarkable man whose life, both triumphant and tragic, spans continents, wars and a revolution—and whom no one seems to have noticed before. An extraordinary and gripping book.’

Adam Hocschild, author of King Leopold’s Ghost

‘Hang on for the ride of a lifetime. With the verve of a novelist, historian Alexandrov takes one on an adventure through pre-war Mississippi, London, Paris, Tsarist Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution, ending up in decadent Constantinople.’

John Bailey, author of The Lost German Slave Girl