Kindle Edition Amazon The Real Rasputin Category:  History Publisher: Kindle Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 284 Copyright: May 21, 2013 ISBN-13: 9781484925850 The memoirs of Rasputin's secretary are now available in English. Available and annotated for the first time in English, Aron Simanovitch’s memoirs offer an intimate view of Rasputin through the eyes of his dear friend and secretary. Simanovitch reveals Rasputin’s progressive ideas for social and economic reform that outraged the nobility. In the process, he paints a Peyton Place image of early twentieth century Petersburg society, with its gossip, plots and intrigue. But more importantly, his revelations about Rasputin’s humanitarianism lend a three-dimensional view to this controversial figure of Russian history.

Fascinating
This memoir presents a fascinating inside account of the Russian imperial court during the final years of Tsarist rule. In those years, the tsar and his wife were enthralled by Siberian mystic Grigori Rasputiin and this book was written by Aron Simonovich, a Jewish jeweler who acted as a secretary and aide to Rasputin and sought to influence the tsar (via Rasputin) to improve the lot of Jews in Russia. (The memoir was written in 1928 but has just now been translated into English.)

As with any memoir, this one must be taken with a grain of salt since the author is undoubtedly portraying his own actions (and those of his friends) in the most flattering light, while also depicting his enemies as villains. However, the English translator has included numerous rigorous footnotes that help to set the record straight and also provide important historical background for readers who are unfamiliar with the details, relationships and rivalries of pre-revolutionary Russia.

Overall, a very enjoyable read.