Helen Rappaport- Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs

[ImperialHighness]

I have just heard about a new book by Helen Rappaport about the last days of the Romanovs at Ekaterinburg- it shall be published in summer 2008. The story is focused on the last 13 days.
Here s the publishers note about it (a part of it):
"...In contrast, "Ekaterinburg" - based on new evidences that has become available since the fall of communism - strips away the romanticism and focuses on the family imprisoned at the Ipatiev House, capturing its oppressive atmosphere and portraying a family group caught up in extraordinary events. As a counterpoint, the narrative cross-cuts to the wider dynamic of the Ekaterinburg Bolsheviks who plot the deaths, and the chain of command back to Moscow and Lenin himself. Wider European dimensions add context to the family's lives during those last days, and outline the impotence of European monarchies in intervening on the Romanovs' behalf...."

So I m wondering if the book is fact, fiction or a mixture. And if it may be not just the same as the one by Greg King and Penny Wilson. Does anyone know Helen Rappaport, the author and her style of writing?

Thanks!

[Robert_Hall]

Helen Rappaport is an historian and has written books on Stalin and Queen Victoia, amongst other subjects. I personally will buy the book, when it comes out.

[helenazar]

Didn't Helen Rappaport used to post here occasionally? I think she is from the UK. I am looking forward to her book, hopefully it will something different than we have already seen (I am assuming this will be a non-fiction?).

[Helen]

She's still a member; her screen name: "helenrappaport".

[helenrappaport]

My thanks to those who have noted my forthcoming book 'Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs'.  Just to clarify, this is most definitely NOT fiction. It is a close, in camera study of the Romanov family in the Ipatiev House at Ekaterinburg during the last 14 days of their lives - i.e. from the arrival of Yurovsky on 4th July.

I have set as my objective to write a tight, incisive study of the family, their jailers and those who plotted their murder at the top, set against the broader dynamic of Ekaterinburg the city,and what was going on beyond - all the way to the royal courts of Europe and President Wilson in the White House -i.e. setting the story against the broader backdrop of history. Those familiar with K&W's book will find I take the totally opposite viewto them about the chain of command and Moscow's controlling hand over the fate of the family. I do not believe for one moment that the Ekaterinburg bolsheviks went ahead without the say so of Lenin himself. I also have my own line on who the killers were.

 Whilst being a great admirer of King & Wilson's book mine does not set out to be exhaustive, or huge, or heavily footnoted. It is a tight, strongly narrative driven book that seeks to tell the story as clearly and simply as possible. Nor do I set out to debunk the Romanovs. I have been very selective about the material used and the way I use it - preferring to synthesize what the primary sources say (including several new and valuable Russian ones) and create a narrative in my own words rather quote at length (which I find very dull).  I have based the book on as much hard fact as is humanly possible given the circumstances of those last 14 days and how much we know about them.  But in the end of course it will be my intererpretation of that material.  All history writing is ultimately subjective no matter how hard the historian tries.

I will bring the story up to date with material gathered during my recent research trip to Ekaterinburg.  The book will also include valuable new perspectives, I feel, from previously untapped sources, notably the papers of Sir Thomas Preston and some other British and American observers of Siberia/Russia at the time. I have a US deal with St Martin's Press but not yet sure of the date of publication.  All best wishes, Helen Rappaport

[helenazar]

Thanks for clarifying, Helen. I am really looking forward to your book! Any idea of at least the approximate date (this year, next year?)

[s.v.markov]

Yes, this book will be eagerly awaited. Thomas Preston was (probably) the only British diplomat left in the area of Ekaterinburg when the Tsar and his family were murdered ~ I think he was British Vice-consul (?). He was a well-known musician as well as a diplomat, and in the 1920's met Alexander Glazunov, the Russian composer of several symphonies and the ballet 'Raymonda'. Preston himself wrote the score for a ballet which was performed in Kaunas (then capital of Lithuania) and London. Preston wrote his memoirs in a book called 'Before the Curtain' (1950) ~ clever title, I always thought, in view of his interest in the stage, and the new divisions in Europe by 1950. I remember he says in the chapter about the Imperial Family at Ekaterinburg how ironic it was that the first Romanov Tsar was proclaimed tsar in a monastery called 'Ipatieff', and now the last tsar found himself in a house with the same name. Helen Rappaport's book will be of great importance to all those for whom Ekaterinburg is still a centre of interest and intrigue.

[Sarushka]

According to the book's listing on Amazon UK, the scheduled release date is 5 June 2008.

[helenazar]

Thanks, Sarushka. These listings don't always mean anything, but as a ballpark date, it works.

[helenrappaport]

I can confirm that the UK publication date is indeed 5 June 2008 - timed to come out in advance of the 90th anniversary; USA may be around Jan 2008 or earlier I hope.  I'm waiting to hear on any foreign translation rights. Best, Helen

[Belochka]

... I do not believe for one moment that the Ekaterinburg bolsheviks went ahead without the say so of Lenin himself.

... I will bring the story up to date with material gathered during my recent research trip to Ekaterinburg.  The book will also include valuable new perspectives, I feel, from previously untapped sources, notably the papers of Sir Thomas Preston and some other British and American observers of Siberia/Russia at the time.

There is no question that Lenin controlled Yurovsky who always acted under his command.

Your scholarly perspective will be most welcoming.

Best regards,

Margarita

[azrael7171918]

 Dear Ms Rappaport

Thank you so much for an explaination of your forthcoming book. I really am looking forward to it and the work of a real historian and writer.k. I do have a question. Are there photos? I do love the cover set up for the British Edition.

Regards Azrael

[Laura Mabee]

publication date ...USA may be around Jan 2008

Helen, Does that mean we can expect this publication this month? That's wonderful news!! I sincerely hope I read that correctly.

Edit -- I am thinking I miss-read. Do you mean June 2008 for the US/Canadian Market?

[helenazar]

publication date ...USA may be around Jan 2008

Helen, Does that mean we can expect this publication this month? That's wonderful news!! I sincerely hope I read that correctly.

This may have been a typo, I think she meant January 2009.... ?

[Laura Mabee]

Ah, Thanks Helen!