Russia in 1919

"Russia in 1919" by Arthur Ransome is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides a firsthand observation of the tumultuous events in Russia during the early days of the Soviet government, offering insights into the political landscape, societal struggles, and personal encounters of the author with key figures of the time. At the start of the narrative, Ransome reflects on his journey into Russia, accompanied by a group of correspondents, and describes the atmosphere as they cross the border from Finland into a country undergoing drastic transformation. The opening portion details the feelings of trepidation mixed with exhilaration among the travelers, a stark contrast between the relative order in Finland and the chaotic, uncertain conditions in Russia. As they reach Petrograd, Ransome encounters a city marked by violence and unrest from recent revolts, illuminating the dire state of the populace amidst war and revolution. His focus on vivid personal experiences and historical context sets the tone for an engaging exploration of a nation in crisis. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Arthur Michell Ransome was an English author and journalist. He is best known for writing and illustrating the Swallows and Amazons series of children's books about the school-holiday adventures of children, mostly in the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads. The entire series remains in print, and Swallows and Amazons is the basis for a tourist industry around Windermere and Coniston Water, the two lakes Ransome adapted as his fictional North Country lake.