The Rasputin File

By: Edvard Radzinsky, Judson Rosengrant - translator

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 22 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of Stalin and The Last Tsar comes The Rasputin File, a remarkable biography of the mystical monk and bizarre philanderer whose role in the demise of the Romanovs and the start of the revolution can only now be fully known.

For almost a century, historians could only speculate about the role Grigory Rasputin played in the downfall of tsarist Russia. But in 1995 a lost file from the state archives turned up, a file that contained the complete interrogations of Rasputin's inner circle.

With this extensive and explicit amplification of the historical record, Edvard Radzinsky has written a definitive biography, reconstructing in full the fascinating life of an improbable holy man who changed the course of Russian history.

Translated from the Russian by Judson Rosengrant.

©2016 Edvard Radzinsky (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[G]ripping...a story almost Tolstoyan in its complexities and ironies." ( The New York Times Book Review)

"[N]o reader can come away from [this] biography without a powerful impression of the charm and charisma of the semi-literate bearded peasant from Siberia." ( The Economist)

Amazing history

I am so glad I now know this true history and for the author’s efforts to bring out truth. His favorite phrase is “semi-illiterate peasant”. I am sad for such evil on our beautiful full world. How much wickedness can be brought about by one man, over and over. Jesus Christ is the answer, but beware of wolves in sheep clothing.

wild story

it was a fascinating tale that really peeled back the layers of the mysterious man that was Rasputin

Incredible Story of a previously mysterious man

Absolutely was hooked from the first paragraph. Entertaining, sad, hilarious, rich in history and descriptions - I cannot brag about this book enough. Beyond highly recommend.

Long but Strong

Incredibly lengthy but extremely informative. 24hrs of audio so strap in, but I listened at work over the course of a week and the narration was great. Soothing and steady voice-work. I recommend to those with genuine historical curiosity and of course, a fair bit of patience!

Don't give up

If you give up reading you will miss a great Russian writer. This is a well founded book built on great research and intuition. If I gave it five stars I'd scare people away. Try this book I'm going to read Stalin by the same author.

Good old Radzinsky

I read several works of Radzinsky years ago. First of all, he is very serious about what he does, his research, his writing. He is absolutely great describing the history of his own country and that is his absolute advantage. Going back to his books is an absolute pleasure as well as a great learning process.

The false witch

I always wonder the true, logical, and not muddy story of rasputin. this is a great historical book with answers for those who wish to know

Great narration and story

Enjoyed the narrator and the book looked for more from the author and the narrator would like to see some other translations down the road,

wow

I enjoyed it. knew nothing about it before this. a little hard to follow all the names but overall great

Spectacular view of obscure history

I knew nothing about this pre-Lennon figure except his name. I knew there was mystery surrounding his existance and his importance in making state decisions in old Czarist Russia. But I had no idea to what level he had risen. The book is well written, on the level of David McCullough and Walter Isaacson, logical, and engaging. A great read about a figure hidden in twentieth century history. I am so glad I listened to this (twice).