November 1916

, by Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr Isaevich; Willetts, H. T.

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ISBN: 9780374223144 | 0374223149
Cover: Hardcover
Copyright: 1/1/1999

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A vivid and sweeping panorama of Imperial Russia at war on the eve of revolution, "November 1916" makes readers experience the whole bubbling cauldron. With masterly and moving empathy, the author unforgettably transports us to that time and place--the last of pre-Soviet Russia.

CHAPTER 1 Birds in the battle zone--the terrain along the Szara--the Russian army's positions "humiliating"--"which places are dearest to us?"--Sanya's heroic deed--dawn behind the Torczyc Heights--the Firebird's feather

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CHAPTER 2 The officers of Lieutenant Colonel Boyer's battery--the lateral observation post--the observer's log--preparing to fire--Sanya's enthusiasm--he puts in a plea for Blagodarev--present weakness of the Grenadier Corps--its reputation in eclipse--Sanya no longer recognizes himself--our contribution to the march of history

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CHAPTER 3 In the officers' dugout--Ensign Chernega--bureaucracy and trench warfare--scrutiny of orders--argument about the Jews

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CHAPTER 4 Arseni Blagodarev reports--his hopes for leave--Chernega needles him--history of the village of Kamenka--Sanya's anxiety--under cover of darkness--Cheverdin dead

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CHAPTER 5 Father Severyan despondent--grace declined--what are we to the Old Believers?--Feast of the Trinity in the church at Rogozhskoye--destruction of the Old Believers--for what reason?--Christians divided--is the Church never guilty?--where Sanya parted company with Tolstoy--is Tolstoy really a Christian?--morality and humility--secrets of existence rejected--impotence

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CHAPTER 6 The forgotten confession--what if you don't forgive?--the priest and the war--nature of war--dilemma: peace and evil--war not the greatest of evils--one faith does not exclude others

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CHAPTER 7 (Origins of the Kadets) How did the schism begin?--why were the terrorists in such a hurry?--terror as an assertion of righteousness--liberalism's left deviation--difficulty of the middle line--original orientation of the Russian zemstvo--how it differed from Western local governmental institutions--Aleksandr III puts the brake on--self-limitation in the conduct of state affairs?--Nikolai II and "groundless dreams"--the idee fixe: hold back evolution--Shipov's interprovincial conference in 1902--the government's flat refusal--differentiation of zemstvo groups--formation of the League of Liberation--its program and tactics--against autocracy all means are valid!--Shipov's outlook--models from old Russia: not self-interest but truth in social relationships--institutional relationships of "state" and "land"--Pleve sidelines Shipov--rejoicing of the liberals after Pleve's assassination--Svyatopolk-Mirsky's program--the Zemstvo Congress in November 1904--Shipov's thoughts on the structure of organs of representation--schisms in the Zemstvo Congress--twilight of the banqueting campaign--the Emperor refuses, Svyatopolk-Mirsky resigns--decree of 3 March 1905, the regime backs down--unions, unions, unions: overheating the situation--Milyukov to the fore--simulation of revolution--"remove the robber gang"--conference in the Dolgorukovs' palace approves use of violence--boycott of consultative Duma--the Kadet Party--declaration of left-wing solidarity--Milyukov's reply to the Manifesto of 30 October--I will call up the river of Hell--Kadets refuse to join Witte's cabinet--Shipov on the Kadets--Guchkov on the Kadets--the Emperor's waverings--mood of the First Duma at its opening--V. Maklakov's belated insight--Kadets impatient: down with the government!--Muromstev--implacable hostility between the First Duma and the government--Shipov's advice on Kadet participation in government--the Duma appeals to the people on land reform--Goremykin's efforts to dissolve the Duma--the Duma locked out-- the Vyborg debate--the Vyborg appeal

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CHAPTER 8 A bouquet of roses--awaiting her mysterious admirer--Alina's marriage--ups and downs of her husband's career--his morale collapses, emotions atrophy--Alina's liberation, her meteoric rise in wartime Moscow--the "flying concert" group--Alina's friendship with Susanna Korzner--Alina's life could have taken such a different turn--self-denial, Moscow style--the Korzner's circle: their dinner parties--hopelessness of the government--"show them the fist!"

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CHAPTER 9 Susanna's isolation in the concert party--she and Alina share Confidences--scenes from the anti-German riot of 1915--the people: a show of self-respect or indiscipline?--the volcano may erupt at any time--a euphemism for persecution of the the Jews shiver--don't let yourself be treated as an inferior being--Jews the victims of spy mania--proud of her people--why she went on concert tours

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CHAPTER 10 (A glance at the newspapers)

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CHAPTER 11 How should Alina celebrate her birthday?--her husband will be there!--preparations--the first moments--so tired, and all your own fault!--domestic joys, domestic cares--a dark cloud: Georgi only passing through--truce--Alina feels her affection is unrequited--an evening at Muma's--Susanna's advice

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CHAPTER 12 Vorotnytsev dedicated to his regiment--purified by life at the front--the wrong war--the fatherland more important than the soldier's trade--at one with the men in the ranks--for all these sacrifices what shall we give in return?--a war that surpasses all limits--"make peace!"--they had their chances--and the Tsar?--the Tsar reviews his troops--who manages Russia?--suffocating miasma of rumors and calumnies--rumor of a separate peace--act now, go and see for yourself!--Guchkov's letter to General Alekseev--a conspiracy everybody knows about?--catapulted

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CHAPTER 13 The Journey--what did it all feel like before the war?--through Moscow--the explosion on the Empress Maria--trying to understand the home front--can't take it all in--the "Zemstvo hussars"--the Unions of Zemstvos and Towns--Gerber's revelations--tied down by his telegram--across Moscow in a handsom cab--Moscow so familiar, so different--away again tomorrow?--how to tell Alina?--through the Kremlin--along Ostozhenka Street--first minutes at home--can't get through to her--Moscow bells ring for evening service--the party--talk of Rasputin--as seen from the front line--Susanna

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CHAPTER 14 Alina sees him off--admonition at the station--his traveling companion on the chaotic state of the economy--you read the papers, don't you?--the illustrated press and the imperial family--Germans in the service of the throne--townsfolk run the village--treason? rubbish--was the supply of shells mismanaged?--realities of war in Romania--black marketeers on the home front--universal dishonesty--everything's going to pieces--waiting for the war to end--his companion misses nothing--a signatory of the Vyborg appeal--on good locomotive engineers--who can he be?

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CHAPTER 15 (From the notebooks of Fyodor Kovynev)

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CHAPTER 16 Kovynev's work style--requirements of his editors and of the reading public--Zina Altanskaya criticizes--he plans to write The Quiet Don--what prevents an author from writing?--Kovynev observes Vorotyntsev--remembering the Vyborg appeal--the First Duma--Filipp Mironov--Kovynev shuttles between the Don and Petersburg--Tambov: a confession

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CHAPTER 17 Tambov in Kovynev's life--meets Zina on the embankment--vacillations, regrets--their letters--so bold for a girl of her age!--no taming her--tea in the twilight--Zina's arabesques--the child--a life absurdly wasted, her strength exhausted--fresh flights of fancy--Fedya's view of marriage--she summons him to the back of beyond, Kirsanov--best not to go? no, go!--they meet in Tambov--headlong into space

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CHAPTER 18 Childhood of the Vorotyntsevs, brother and sister--Nanny Polya, her stories, her ways--Vera's life in Petersburg--correspondence with her brother--areas of reticence--couples compared--at the station to meet her brother--invitation from Shingarev

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CHAPTER 19 (Society, the government, and the Tsar in 1915) 1914: universal patriotism, and the Kadets--the Kadets' long-term calculations--Unions of Zemstvos and Towns: arbitrary decisions, lack of financial discipline--maneuvers around prohibition- condemnation of the Bolshevik group in the Duma--Kadet loyalty unrewarded--the war is going badly--Milyukov's caution--the May retreat, end of the truce with the government--Goremykin: an old fur coat out of mothballs--unsuccessful attempt to form a "government of unity"--character of Krivoshein--his position in society--his reluctance to accept the premiership--Kokovtsov replaced--the cabinet reshuffled--tension in the cabinet--Krivoshein purges the government, spring 1915--June conference of the Kadets: their new slogan "a government enjoying the confidence of society"--the leaders try to cool down the hotheads--who is to blame for the retreat?--the Duma deputies assemble--congresses of the Unions and the "price inflation" congress--Yanushkevich as Chief the General Staff--decree on administration of the army in the field--its effects during the retreat--Polivanov: "the fatherland is in danger"--the ministers ask for a Council of War--ministers' grievances against GHQ--the Grand Duke's popularity reinforced--opening of the Duma, 1 August: antigovernment feeling runs high--the Industrial Congress--establishment of War Industry Committees, taken over by Guchkov--their commissioning role--"dissolve the Duma"--the question of category 2 militia--situation in the theater of war--refugees--Yanushkevich blames the Jews for Russian defeats--the West curtails financial aid--ultimatum on the Jewish problem--the government considers lifting residence restrictions on Jews--Polivanov describes the military situation as hopeless--he divulges the Emperor's intention to assume the Supreme Command--the ministers perturbed--Krivoshein breaks ranks with Goremykin--the Emperor's private resolve--Nikolai Nikolaevich exceeds his authority--the Empress' recommendation--the Grand Duke accepts dismissal--the retreat continues--the workers suspect treason--Samarin: dissuade the Tsar from this disastrous step!--rumors of a compromise--Krivoshein proposes a placatory rescript--Rodzyanko intervenes--the ministers discuss alternative texts--can concessions really improve matters?--the Grand Duke in a hurry to go--evacuate Petrograd and Kiev?--the chaos of evacuation--the government up in the air--disturbances in Moscow and Ivanovo-Voznesensk--impotence of the Minister of the Interior--Petrograd society living it up--the excesses of the press--either give in to "society" or assert authority--Ryabushinsky publishes a plan for a new government--Krivoshein: a bureaucrat but not anathematized--the plan to create a Duma majority--formation of the Progressive Bloc--discussion of a program--a "government of trust"?--choosing a Prime Minister--Krivoshein again reluctant--his chances ruined by his support of Polivanov and Guchkov--provocative resolutions of the Moscow Duma--the change of Supreme Commander: storm in the Council of Ministers--Krivoshein contemplates an ultimatum--the dissident ministers close ranks--cabinet meeting of 2 September--the Empress reinforces the Emperor's resolve--he stands up to the ministers--in a good mood after his victory--turbulence in the Council of Ministers, 3 September--resignation of the eight--opening of the Special Conference--the Emperor leaves for GHQ--proclamation from the Progressive Bloc--conciliatory behavior of ministers toward the Bloc--suspend the Duma?--Krivoshein withdraws into the shadows--analysis of the Bolc's program--ministers meet the leaders of the Bloc--not a program, but seats in government--dissolve the Duma peremptorily or try to reach an understanding?--too late for Goremykin to change--Samarin's separate stance--new anxieties for the Empress--Goremykin's character--Goremykin at Mogilev, the Emperor's decisions--turbulent cabinet meeting, 15 September--how to curb the Congresses of the Unions?--paucity of government forces in Moscow--pressure on Goremykin futile--Kiev about to be surrendered!--decree of 16 September dissolves the Duma--leaders of the Bloc discuss tactics--hurried Congresses of the Unions--the Empress on the Congresses and on Guchkov--strike of Moscow workers--the Kadets regret their failure to reach an understanding with the government--legend of the Black Bloc--opening of the Congresses--deputations to the Tsar: the "loyal addresses"--workers seek admission to the Congress of Towns--no explosion, it's quieted down--the Empress calls on the Emperor to punish the ministers and the Synod--the Tsar's reprimand to the ministers--Krivoshein's missed chances--dismissal of Samarin and Shcherbatov--Krivoshein resigns--should the Emperor receive deputations from the Congresses?--his refusal--a lost opportunity to make peace?--a warning goes unnoticed

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CHAPTER 20 Evening in wartime Petrogard--a close look at a sister--Deputy Shingarev: his residence and lifestyle--his reminiscences of country life--Novozhivotinnove--Shingarev's career--Dumas past and present: Vorotyntsev remembers nothing about knows nothing--work for the people's welfare, but how?--partial demobilization?--our duty to the Allies?--if only the hearts of those on high burned for the people!--Kadets resigned to revolution--the French analogy--legend of the Sibyl

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DOCUMENT NO. 1 November 1916. To the Petersburg Proletariat

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CHAPTER 21 Vorotyntsev in Kadet company--verbal maelstrom--the Shingarev family--Vorotyntsev odd man out--victory through freedom or coercion?--down with the government!--dizzying spin of the carousel--Zemgor: a hitch--the worse, the better!--Vorotyn sev explodes--Shingarev's meetings with Stolypin--better than parliamentary wrangling?--Professor Andozerskaya

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CHAPTER 22 Tell your story and shed the burden--the war in Romania--what they want to hear from him--the regular army decimated--pigheaded tyranny of General Sandetsky--incompetent commanders--East Prussia: one defeat after another--these generals are mass murderers--the Carpathian venture--the 1915 retreat--Brusilov's success spurious--sporadic setbacks--war as work--glimpses of combat--the village of Radzanovov--human sacrifice--"forward, boys!"--the officer tied hand and foot--the Kargopol Dragoon Regiment attacks by night--the heavier the casualities, the greater the glory--the undecorated--gas attack on our own lines--the morale of Novozhivotinnoye--happy to be taken prisoner--but the liberals demand victory!--what were you thinking of during the war with Japan?--the Russian soldier and Russia's war aims--suffer patiently, or is it time to wake up?--even Russia should know where to stop!--you feel these wounds like your own--call a halt to the war?--how the Russian soldier sees his officers--the army has ceased to exist--"the company's gone, nothing matters now"--am I still an officer, or just a murderer?--peace, call it what you like

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CHAPTER 23 Vorotyntsev relaxes--Obodovsky's questions--and Vorotyntsev's to him--hasty conference of Kadet leaders--discussion of artillery--revolutionary and creator?--1905: Irkutsk boils over--military service and General Lastochkin--Whoever beats Russia beats me!--fight without hatred of the enemy?--must take advantage of this evening

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CHAPTER 24 Nusya Obodovskaya--a woman's marriage is her fate--how her life took shape over the years--Obodovsky's ardors--Nusya sits on the dynamite--Obodovsky in Siberian jails--a concert at Pavlovsk--revolutionary activity easier for the gentry--an emigre,but still serving Russia--homecoming, with forebodings

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CHAPTER 25 Andozerskaya's thoughts on women--she finds the colonel's audacity infectious--the caned schoolboys and social conscience--has every nation its predispositions?--republican government--some characteristics--minority? majority?--prohibitions of a free society--autocracy, the favorite foe--does "unlimited power" have limits?--characteristics of monarchy as compared with republican government--Vorotyntsev left behind by the discussion--what sort of formula is "God's anointed"?--defects of the republic--is the law infalliable?--IT HAS BEGUN!

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CHAPTER 26 Anxiously awaiting the messenger--memories from the beginning of the century--1905--1906--a roof over the people--choices made in the name of progress--we expect and hope for catastrophe--Engineer Dmitriev arrives--rumors circulating since early autumn--the atmosphere on the Vyborg side--the melee of 30 October--mutiny of the 181 st Regiment--the police repulsed

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CHAPTER 27 Russia's regional diversity--Vorotyntsev too happy to sleep--a morning telephone call--rushing to see her--Olda Orestovna's study--Vorotyntsev receives a medal--conflicting feelings--convicted of "Kadetism"--more about republics--the secret of monarchy--the monarchist's code--Kostroma, our native province--a professor's lot--walking in the wind--on the swing

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CHAPTER 28 All is lost: or found!--Vrubel's "Pan"--anniversaries of Dostoevsky's death--literary taste of a man who knows what he likes--different every time--rambling argument--Vorotyntsev ready to be persuaded--trying to understand the Tsar--the throne needs just one push--where the Tsar must take the blame--firm hand to the rescue!

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CHAPTER 29 What, if anything, has happened in the past six days?--Alina wants him home!--he had never known himself--fusion--a walk to Kemenny Ostrov--Olda's interrogation--which are more difficult: political or personal decisions?

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CHAPTER 30 Never enough competent people--mining engineer Obodovsky receives the ordnance designers--workers at the Obukhov factory refuse to do overtime--the socialist calendar and Russian productivity--accepted practice in the West, tyranny here--transformation of Guchkov's committees--how strikes are brought about in Russia--and in the West?--the working class? I'll tell them what's what!

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November 1916

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