House of Government: A Saga of the Russian Revolution

The House of Government is a gripping narrative that tells the chilling true story of an enormous Moscow apartment building where Soviet leaders and their families lived until hundreds of them were led to prison or their deaths in Stalins purges. It weaves together biography, literary criticism, architectural history, and new theories of revolutions, millennial prophecies, and reigns of terror, using letters, diaries, and interviews with survivors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 1128 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2019
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The House of Government, a remarkable book that delves into the depths of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet experiment, stands apart from other accounts of these pivotal historical events. Written in the style of renowned authors such as Tolstoy's War and Peace, Grossman's Life and Fate, and Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago, Yuri Slezkine's gripping narrative unfolds the chilling and true story of an immense Moscow apartment building where Soviet leaders and their families resided until hundreds of these ardent Bolshevik believers were unjustly led to prison or their untimely deaths during Stalin's purges.

To craft this epic tale, Slezkine has drawn upon a wealth of sources, including letters, diaries, and intimate interviews with survivors, providing a poignant and personal perspective on the events that unfolded within the walls of the House of Government. Moreover, the book is adorned with hundreds of rare photographs that vividly capture the architectural splendor and the daily life of the inhabitants during the Soviet era.

Through his meticulous research and storytelling prowess, Slezkine weaves together a rich tapestry of biography, literary criticism, architectural history, and intriguing new theories about revolutions, millennial prophecies, and reigns of terror. The result is an unforgettable saga that delves deep into the complexities of the Soviet Union and the lives of those who inhabited the House of Government.

As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that the House of Government, much like the Soviet Union itself, became a haunted house, forever etched with the ghosts of the disappeared. The lives of the inhabitants, once filled with hope and ambition, were tragically shattered by the oppressive regime, leaving behind a legacy of pain and loss. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political ideologies and the devastating consequences of authoritarianism.

In conclusion, The House of Government is a must-read for anyone interested in the Russian Revolution, the Soviet experiment, and the profound impact of political ideologies on human lives. With its captivating narrative, rich historical context, and thought-provoking analysis, this book offers a unique and compelling perspective on a pivotal period in world history.

Weight: 1482g
Dimension: 229 x 163 x 55 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691192727