historical accuracy/ethics question regarding writing books

[Puppylove]

There really are very few authors who come here to comment on our comments about their work. I guess most of them have other things to do and don't have time, maybe they are so pleased with their finished product it doesn't matter, or maybe they just don't want to know.

Yes, this is true, which is why there are usually no problems discussing most books here. If anyone remembers on the original thread, which was deleted, one of he things I mentioned about authors' obligations was that they should be professionally receptive to criticism from the readers (which is normal) if there is any. Most authors are, but alas this is not always the case... :-(

Good points, both. It would knock my socks off if Robert Massie or another writer of his caliber made himself accessible here (pipe dream)! I know Sarushka has been published, and I believe Margarita as well; I am really enjoying my exchanges with them.

[helenazar]

It would knock my socks off if Robert Massie or another writer of his caliber made himself accessible here (pipe dream)! I know Sarushka has been published, and I believe Margarita as well; I am really enjoying my exchanges with them.

Robert Alexander (who wrote The Kitchen Boy, Rasputin's Daughter, etc) has been here too, and he actually asked for the readers' critiques and was very receptive to them. It was a pleasure to interact with someone as professional as him. Christina Croft is a published author too and used to post here, there were never any problems or issues. Also Helen Rappaport, who still posts here. Most published authors are aware that reader criticism comes with the territory and have no problem with it. Starting from grad school professionals are taught to be responsive to criticism of their work, no matter how difficult it is. Defending your graduate thesis is exactly about that. IMO, it is one of authors' obligations to the reader to accept criticism in a professional way and respond to questions...

[Robert_Hall]

That is my experience with published authors- that they welcome comments, both positive & negative, as long as it is not fanatic devotion bordering on stalking or lunatic ravings of one sort or another. At times they may even take into consideration such comments  for their next work, whether or not it is would be on the same subject.
 One prominent author I know personally recieved so many comments on his second or  third novel in a series, that he changed the tone radically  in the next one. For the better, all agreed.

[Forum Admin]

Nick Nicholson also a published author, is a contributer to the APTM site and was a very active forum participant. He still "lurks". 

[Forum Admin]

I read everything even though I rarely post.  So I do understand.  But I just get tired of all the ill will.  Especially about Greg and Penny.

Sorry to butt in to your discussion.  Frankly I enjoyed FOTR.....and since NO ONE really knows what happened  on the girls/Alexi's boat journey I just passed over it and still kept my own opinions intact.....like I do with ALL Romanov books.  The only ones that I totally believe are the books of letters, those I enjoy so much! 

But I am patiently awiting Bob's book.......

Arleen

Not to fear Arleen. Bob is still working on the book.

[Annie]

Another writer who's been here is Richard Cullen, who wrote the book alleging Rasputin was actually killed by a British agent. He got mixed responses on his information and theories, and answered all honestly and graciously.

What kind of book is Bob writing? With all the info he's gathered over the years, I'm sure it will be great!

[Puppylove]

That is my experience with published authors- that they welcome comments, both positive & negative, as long as it is not fanatic devotion bordering on stalking or lunatic ravings of one sort or another. At times they may even take into consideration such comments  for their next work, whether or not it is would be on the same subject.
 One prominent author I know personally recieved so many comments on his second or  third novel in a series, that he changed the tone radically  in the next one. For the better, all agreed.

Robert, thank you for this example. I suppose writers' responses to reviews are as varied as the writers themselves. Forgive my ignorance here, but I'd like to know what reviewers serious writers take seriously. Is the New York Times or some other publication taken as gospel? Do writers regard Amazon reviews as a joke?

Annie, I saw some of Mr. Cullen's posts the other day, very classy!

[helenazar]

Do writers regard Amazon reviews as a joke?

Some take Amazon reviews VERY seriously ;-)

[helenazar]

Nick Nicholson also a published author, is a contributer to the APTM site and was a very active forum participant. He still "lurks". 

Another writer who's been here is Richard Cullen, who wrote the book alleging Rasputin was actually killed by a British agent. He got mixed responses on his information and theories, and answered all honestly and graciously.

Yes, that's right, I forgot about Nick Nicholson and Richard Cullen! Everyone but a few has been very gracious and professional.

[Forum Admin]

Another writer who's been here is Richard Cullen, who wrote the book alleging Rasputin was actually killed by a British agent. He got mixed responses on his information and theories, and answered all honestly and graciously.

What kind of book is Bob writing? With all the info he's gathered over the years, I'm sure it will be great!

Richard most graciously sent me his monograph on the forensic analysis of the Rasputin murder to post on the APTM main site for everyone to read, with his compliments.  I'm working on it, thought it would be easy, but there are many dozens of wonderful photos, maps and diagrams, all of which I have to download, resize and then upload back up to fit in the text...and the text is not short! Been a bit sidetracked, sadly. The time I had hoped to use for this and the 1912 Great Kremlin Palace Guide was severely cut into by the recent , ummm... unpleasantness.  Give me time, please, everyone for these, next two weeks I'm busy with family issues (nothing serious, but requiring my time, but I WILL still be keeping watch here.)
 
Bob's book is the history of the Alexander Palace, told essentially from the "palace's" point of view, right up to the end of of World War II.  It will be virtually anything anyone would want to know about the AP, with of course, the interaction of its residents. I may be biased, but I don't think anyone in the English speaking world knows more about the building than Bob does, and the photographs will be wonderful, many of them yet unpublished.

[helenazar]

Bob's book is the history of the Alexander Palace, told essentially from the "palace's" point of view, right up to the end of of World War II. 

I guess it will be sort of a biography of Alexander Palace (as if it was a human historical character). Sounds very exciting!

[grandduchessella]

And of course there's Marlene Eilers Koenig who posts here as well as Ilana Miller. Janet Ashton has published several articles.

[Puppylove]

Wow! I had no idea so many published authors pass through here....

As I wrote earlier, it's my pipe dream to engage in conversation with Robert Massie. I understand Nicholas and Alexandra takes some hits here due to agenda, reliance on secondary sources etc. (although it doesn't seem to inflame anyone's passions). As Dominic (I believe) stated, FOTR is worth it for the sources alone; I think N & A can be read for the quality of the writing alone.

I asked this question earlier but got no response: when Massie wrote N & A would he have had access to the sources Margarita used in her analysis of Rasputin? If he did then I would regard his Rasputin protrayal as grossly misleading.

Jenn

[helenazar]

when Massie wrote N & A would he have had access to the sources Margarita used in her analysis of Rasputin?

I seriously doubt it. Massie wrote N&A in the 1960's (?), while the Russian archives did not become available to the west until the late 1990's, if not later...

[Janet Ashton]

when Massie wrote N & A would he have had access to the sources Margarita used in her analysis of Rasputin?

I seriously doubt it. Massie wrote N&A in the 1960's (?), while the Russian archives did not become available to the west until the late 1990's, if not later...

It is however a criticism made of Massie's (non-Russian) works that he fails to follow up on the most up to date research, even when available. He also as I have commented previously missed a trick in failing to get interviews for N&A in the 60s, and to question some of the premises in the books he used.