Alex DeJonge\u2019s \u201cThe Life and Times of Grigorii Rasputin\u201d offers up a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of one of the twentieth century\u2019s greatest enigmas, the so-called \u201cMad Monk\u201d Grigorii Rasputin. DeJong\u2019s work leads us through Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin\u2019s life, beginning with his childhood in rural Siberia, a bleak landscape that was saturated with a strange mix of archaic regional religions and superstitions, poverty and inescapable despair. The book follows the young Rasputin\u2019s life, from binge-drinking horse thief to one of the millions of wandering vagabonds that roamed the Russian countryside, eventually finding a reputation as a starets, a charismatic spiritual ascetic. It was in this role that Rasputin eventually climbed the social ladder of Russian society, finding his way into the inner sanctums of Tsarkoe Selo and eventually becoming a trusted advisor and confidant to the Tsar and Tsarina during a period of turmoil that would culminate in the fall of the Russian dynasty. Alongside the biographical information DeJonge also explores the history and socio-political landscape of Russia during Rasputin\u2019s life, giving a solid understanding of the myriad of complexities that led to the ultimate fall of the Russian empire. The author also examines some of the more legendary aspects of Rasputin\u2019s character, namely rumors of the starets possessing \u201csecond sight\u201d to prophesize events and his uncanny abilities to alleviate the young Tsarevich Alexei\u2019s haemophilia, providing a well-documented and enjoyable read that leaves us to form our own conclusions surrounding \u201cthe mystery of the history\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Alex DeJonge\u2019s \u201cThe Life and Times of Grigorii Rasputin\u201d offers up a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of one of the twentieth century\u2019s greatest enigmas, the so-called \u201cMad Monk\u201d Grigorii Rasputin. DeJong\u2019s work leads us through Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin\u2019s life, beginning with his childhood in rural Siberia, a bleak landscape that was saturated … <\/p>\n