Rhoda Power

December 1916. A young English woman crosses a North Sea patrolled by German submarines on the first stage of her lengthy journey to the Southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don where she is engaged as a tutor to the teenage daughter of a prosperous industrialist. Within three months the Russian Revolution explodes, and she is caught up in chaotic and bloody months of violence. Rhoda Power’s remarkable record describes with an extraordinary cool eye - and often humorous ear – her growing sense of insecurity and powerlessness as the conventions and divisions of the social order are swept aside in a tumultuous outpouring of repressed resentment, prejudice, vengeful lawlessness, terror and murder. The shell fire and machine-gun bullets of the Battle of Rostov become the soundtrack of her daily life. Death is all around. And the Germans are advancing. Originally published in 1919 as Under Cossack and Bolshevik Rhoda Power’s account of an ordered existence degenerating into battles raging in the streets around her and of her perilous escape is a neglected classic of outstanding “on the ground ” reporting of events at a time when morality and justice no longer exist. Her words bring home the courage of a remarkable woman; although written over 100 years ago, they have a remarkable contemporary resonance and relevance in today’s turbulent world of conflict.

This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. We have represented this book in the same form as it was first published. Hence any marks seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.

First published in 1928, the studies in this book illustrate the lives of children within various different times and social contexts. Created following the enthusiastic response which greeted the original Boys and Girls of History, this volume concentrates on the period subsequent to the Middle Ages in the history of Britain and home and overseas. As with the original, reconstructions of daily life are used as a means of avoiding the generalised tone employed in many historical accounts, the aim being to develop the young reader's knowledge through a sense of empathy with the figures being described. Highly readable, and containing a large number of beautiful illustrations, the text was again co-authored by the renowned historian Eileen Power, together with her sister Rhoda Power. It will be of value to anyone with an interest in early twentieth-century history books for young readers.