Summary of A People's Tragedy

A People's Tragedy: A History of the Russian Revolution is a definitive account of the events leading up to and during the Russian Revolution by British historian Orlando Figes. Through a comprehensive examination of primary sources and interviews, Figes tells the story of the Revolution from the perspective of the people, including factory workers, peasants, soldiers, and intellectuals, and provides an insight into the motivations and consequences of the Revolution. The book is divided into three parts: Before the Revolution, During the Revolution, and After the Revolution. The book discusses the political, social, and economic issues of late nineteenth century Russia, explores events such as the 1905 and February Revolutions, and examines the Soviet period under Lenin and Stalin. By showing the Revolution as more than merely a series of political events, the book ultimately argues that the Revolution was a human tragedy that produced unimaginable suffering on a mass scale.