Upheaval – 2nd edition

Olga Woronoff’s memoir about Russia before and during the Revolution

Olga’s memoir Upheaval traces her life from childhood to her escape from Russia during the Civil War. With chapters describing her family, their staff, and the places they lived, as well as her wedding, the memoir provides readers with a deeply intimate account of the life she led before the ensuing turmoil. The second half of Upheaval recounts Olga’s personal experiences during the Revolution and Civil War, following Pavel through southern Russia as he fought in the White Army.

In this second edition of Upheaval, Alex de Fircks has added explanatory notes and passages from the diary Olga kept during the last year she lived in Russia. This diary reveals how, despite the conflict, life remained reasonably normal, with dinner parties, plays, and operas to attend. Also included, with permission from the State Archives of Russia, are the letters exchanged between Olga and the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana. This edition features the original photographs as well as new images from Olga’s family album.