Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich: Supreme Commander of the Russian Army (NIU Series in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies)

Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov (1856–1929) was a key figure in late Imperial Russia, and one of its foremost soldiers. At the outbreak of World War I, his cousin, Tsar Nicholas II, appointed him Supreme Commander of the Russian Army. From 1914 to 1915, and then again briefly in 1917, he was commander of the largest army in the world in the greatest war the world had ever seen. His appointment reflected the fact that he was perhaps the man the last Emperor of Russia trusted the most. At six foot six, the Grand Duke towered over those around him. His fierce temper was a matter of legend. However, as Robinson’s vivid account shows, he had a more complex personality than either his supporters or detractors believed. In a career spanning 50 years, the Grand Duke played a vital role in transforming Russia’s political system. In 1905, the Tsar assigned him the duty of coordinating defense and security planning for the entire Russian empire. When the Tsar asked him to assume the mantle of military dictator, the Grand Duke, instead of accepting, persuaded the Tsar to sign a manifesto promising political reforms. Less opportunely, he also had a role in introducing the Tsar and Tsarina to the infamous Rasputin. A few years after the revolution in 1917, the Grand Duke became de facto leader of the Russian émigré community. Despite his importance, the only other biography of the Grand Duke was written by one of his former generals in 1930, a year after his death, and it is only available in Russian. The result of research in the archives of seven countries, this groundbreaking biography—the first to appear in English—covers the Grand Duke’s entire life, examining both his private life and his professional career. Paul Robinson’s engaging account will be of great value to those interested in World War I and military history, Russian history, and biographies of notable figures. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov (18561929) was a key figure in late Imperial Russia, and one of its foremost soldiers. At the outbreak of World War I, his cousin, Tsar Nicholas II, appointed him Supreme Commander of the Russian Army. From 1914 to 1915, and then again briefly in 1917, he was commander of the largest army in the world in the greatest war the world had ever seen. His appointment reflected the fact that he was perhaps the man the last Emperor of Russia trusted the most. At six foot six, the Grand Duke towered over those around him. His fierce temper was a matter of legend. However, as Robinson's vivid account shows, he had a more complex personality than either his supporters or detractors believed. In a career spanning fifty years, the Grand Duke played a vital role in transforming Russia's political system. In 1905, the Tsar assigned him the duty of coordinating defense and security planning for the entire Russian empire. When the Tsar asked him to assume the mantle of military dictator, the Grand Duke, instead of accepting, persuaded the Tsar to sign a manifesto promising political reforms. Less opportunely, he also had a role in introducing the Tsar and Tsarina to the infamous Rasputin. A few years after the revolution in 1917, the Grand Duke became de facto leader of the Russian migr community. Despite his importance, the only other biography of the Grand Duke was written by one of his former generals in 1930, a year after his death, and it is only available in Russian. The result of research in the archives of seven countries, this groundbreaking biographythe first to appear in Englishcovers the Grand Duke's entire life, examining both his private life and his professional career. Paul Robinson's engaging account will be of great value to those interested in World War I and military history, Russian history, and biographies of notable figures. This Biography Covers The Private Life And Professional Career Of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, Supreme Commander Of The Russian Army During World War I. Discusses His Reputation In The Romanov Family And His Rise In The Russian Military-- Preface -- Romanov Family Tree -- Introduction -- Education Of A Soldier, 1856-1873 -- First Shots, 1873-1878 -- Hunting And Riding, 1878-1895 -- Inspector General : Reforming The Cavalry, 1895-1904 -- The October Manifesto, 1905 -- Restoring Order, 1905-1906 -- The Council Of State Defense, 1906-1907 -- Fall From Favor, 1907-1908 -- The Calm Before The Storm, 1908-1913 -- Supreme Commander, Summer 1914 -- Stavka -- Opening Salvoes, August 1914 -- The Warsaw-ivangorod Operation, September-october 1914 -- The Battle Of Lodz, November 1914 -- Winter, December 1914-january 1915 -- Behind The Lines -- The Carpathian Offensive, February-april 1915 -- The Battle Of Gorlice-tarnow, May-june 1915 -- The Great Retreat, July-august 1915 -- Victory In The Caucasus, September 1915-april 1916 -- Governing The Caucasus, May 1916-february 1917 -- Revolution, March 1917 -- Crimea, April 1917-april 1919 -- Exile, May 1919-december 1924 -- The Émigré Congress, January 1925-june 1926 -- Thoughts Of God, July 1926-january 1929 -- Epilogue -- Cast Of Characters. Paul Robinson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 413-426) And Index. Table of Contents 5 Illustrations 7 Preface 9 Romanov Family Tree 12 Introduction 13 1—Education of a Soldier, 1856–1873 17 2—First Shots, 1873–1878 29 3—Hunting and Riding, 1878–1895 37 4—Inspector General: Reforming the Cavalry, 1895–1904 50 5—The October Manifesto, 1905 68 6—Restoring Order, 1905–1906 81 7—The Council of State Defense, 1906–1907 98 8—Fall from Favor, 1907–1908 113 9—The Calm before the Storm, 1908–1913 124 10—Supreme Commander, Summer 1914 140 11—Stavka 152 12—Opening Salvoes, August 1914 167 13—The Warsaw-Ivangorod Operation, September–October 1914 180 14—The Battle of Lodz, November 1914 193 15—Winter, December 1914–January 1915 204 16—Behind the Lines 217 17—The Carpathian Offensive, February–April 1915 229 18—The Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow, May–June 1915 240 19—The Great Retreat, July–August 1915 255 20—Victory in the Caucasus, September 1915–April 1916 271 21—Governing the Caucasus, May 1916–February 1917 288 22—Revolution, March 1917 302 23—Crimea, April 1917–April 1919 314 24—Exile, May 1919–December 1924 323 25—The Émigré Congress, January 1925–June 1926 336 26—Thoughts of God, July 1926–January 1929 346 Epilogue 355 Cast of Characters 359 Notes 363 Bibliography 423 Index 437