The publication of “To Serve The Russian Empire,” a singular memoir by Boris Héroys as told to author John Elverson, is proudly announced by The Media Reviews. With insights into the demise of the Tsarist government and the rise of the communist state, this historical and personal novel offers a first-person account of a crucial period in Russian history.
At the commencement of World War I, outstanding journalist Boris Héroys launched the Frontline newspaper for the Russian troops. He interacted with many of the key players in the Tsarist system and was an excellent character analyst. He took the time to describe the individuals he encountered, providing readers with a fascinating look into the lives of those who influenced the development of Russian history.
With his captivating storytelling, author John Elverson—the son of a British Army officer—brings Héroys’ recollections to life. Elverson studied agriculture at Reading University after being born in Kenya during the latter years of the British Empire. Before joining GE Caledonian, he worked for the Commonwealth Development Corporation subsequently moving on to a London-based software company and starting his own software business.
Readers will learn about Boris’ journey through life in “To Serve The Russian Empire,” from his privileged boarding school education in St. Petersburg to his function as one of two chamber pages to Princess Alix during her wedding to Tsar Nicholas II. Héroys, who served in the prestigious Egersky Life Guards Regiment, paints an evocative picture of regimental life, including guard duties at the Winter Palace and Anichkov Palace, military exercises in Krasnoe Selo, and life in opulent St. Petersburg.
The action then switches to the Far East, where Héroys served as a junior staff officer in the war against Japan. He talks about his provincial deployment to a divisional Headquarters in Kiev following Russia’s defeat before being asked to lecture on tactics at the General Staff School in St. Petersburg. He finally becomes a professor, but the outbreak of World War I forever alters his future. The history of this war is the backdrop against which Héroys’ career is framed, from the triumphant Galician campaign to the tragic retreat and final stalemate following the Kerensky Offensive and the Bolshevik takeover.
The most crucial lesson of “To Serve The Russian Empire” is that authoritarian governments are doomed when they try to achieve glory through war. With the fall of the Soviet government in Afghanistan and the ongoing confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, this message still has resonance today. Anybody interested in Russian history, autobiography, or the nature of power should read this book.
With his captivating storytelling, John Elverson has brought Boris Héroys’ memoirs to life, and readers will value the wisdom and historical relevance of “To Serve The Russian Empire.”
COMING SOON at The Media Reviews bookstore and in well-known bookstores online!
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