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Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal of History
This book is an account of Rasputin as a healer, equal rights activist and man of God, and why he was so vilified by the aristocracy that their libelous and slanderous rumors became accepted as history. For nearly a century, Grigory Rasputin, spiritual advisor to Russia's last Tsar and Tsarina, has been unjustly maligned simply because history is written by the politically powerful and not by the common man. A wealth of evidence shows that Rasputin was discredited by a fanatically anti-Semitic Russian society, for advocating equal rights for the severely oppressed Jewish population, as well as for promoting peace in a pro-war era. Testimony by his friends and enemies, from all social strata, provides a picture of a spiritual man who hated bigotry, inequity and violence. The author is the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin's Jewish secretary.
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2011
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June 26, 2012
Here is my review of Rasputin and the Jews by Delin Colon, from my blog about books, EndpaperReview.com.
by Dick Loftin.
Book Review:
“Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History”
by Delin Colon.
Publisher: Createspace, 2011
They were not allowed to own or lease land. They were banned from certain occupations, denied education, and segregated to living in a restricted, ghetto-like area. They were blamed for crimes, wars, and espionage. From the time of Peter the Great into our recent history, they were persecuted, slaughtered, separated from their families. Women were forced into prostitution in order to study or teach. Parents would bribe teachers and headmasters to admit their children to schools. All of this because they were judged to be tricksters and cheats, they were said to be shrewd and skilled at gaining advantage over others. All of this because they were Jews.
One man, Grigory Efimovitch Rasputin, a spiritual advisor to the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, and believed by them to be a holy man, worked to correct these wrongs. His efforts misunderstood, his reputation and position in history tarnished by those more powerful than himself is the basis for the book, “Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History,” by Delin Colon. Colon is the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin’s Jewish secretary.
Before I read Ms. Colon’s book, I knew very little about Rasputin. After finishing this book of just over 100 pages, I was left wondering if there may be two Rasputin’s in history. One, a man of deep faith, whose only concern was for his fellow man, who used his position of influence with the Tsar of Russia to try to help the less fortunate, particularly the Jews; or Two, a man who used religion as a tool for manipulation and to gain influence and favor for power, money and advantage. Either way, the conclusion is tragic, for Rasputin was assassinated in late December 1916, and the reign of Tsar Nicholas II ended with his death and that of the Romonov family in July 1918.
Who is this man who some say was a “devil-like figure,” and “The Mad Monk?” Colon’s book hopes to redeem the reputation of Rasputin, which she believes has been tarnished in books and movies throughout history.
Rasputin became known a healer, helping people with migraine headaches and other illnesses through prayer and the laying of hands. His reputation for healing became known to the Romanov family who sought help for young Alexei Romanov. Alexei suffered from hemophilia, a disease in which the blood is unable to clot, which can result in severe, unstoppable bleeding from something as simple as a cut. It would be of little consequence to most, but could be fatal for someone with the illness. The boy would bruise easily, causing internal bleeding and severe pain. When Rasputin entered the family’s lives in 1905, he was able to help the boy relax (some say through hypnosis) and allow his body to heal. Rasputin won the Tsar’s and the family’s confidence, with the Tsar referring to him as a “holy man” and “our friend.”
While Rasputin gained influence with the royal family, he was not entirely welcomed by the Russian elite. He was often accused of sexual misconduct and was said to have spent three months in a Monastery for theft as a teenager. Rasputin dismissed the sexual misconduct charges and the theft charges are noted only as a “possibility” in other source materials.
Whatever influence Rasputin may or may not have had over the royal family, his passion for human rights and the equal treatment of others is clear. He repeatedly councils the Tsar on human rights issues related to the Jews at a time in history when it was not popular to do so. Rasputin would not let human rights issues rest, and continued to work to remedy the problem to the end of his life.
Colon writes:
“Although Rasputin was said to have psychic capabilities, and many
of his predictions did come true, it does not take a psychic to forsee
that the extreme oppression of a large population will eventually lead
to agitation and revolution. Rasputin’s politics, simple and naïve as
they were, had the goal of providing plenty for the masses. Had the
Tsar followed Rasputin’s advice of equal rights, peace, and oppor-
tunities for all, revolution may well have been avoided.”
Rasputin also sympathized with the rights of women, giving them attention and consideration, which may have lead to the accusations of sexual impropriety, but the books states that Rasputin had relations with “women of all social classes.” “I speak to them, and they feel better,” Rasputin is quoted as saying.
The Tsar sought, and Rasputin offered, advice regarding social issues, cabinet appointments, saving the monarchy and other issues of the period. The Tsar would consider Rasputin’s advice, but would not always follow it. Once the appointees were in office, they would often back away from positions they promised to keep.
I have read several pieces written about Rasputin on the internet and watched many video clips, including a complete biography of Rasputin’s life. One piece I read of the life of Tsar Nicholas II, barely mentions Rasputin beyond the help he offered to Tsesarevich Alexei Romanov. And it specifically notes Alexandra wholeheartedly believed in Rasputin’s powers and “for the rest of her life she would defend him and turn her wrath against anyone who dared to question him.” For me, this is a powerful statement in support of Rasputin.
In the end, Rasputin is murdered, and months later the Tsar and his family are slain.
Many historians today believe Rasputin to be a scapegoat and so much of the story of Rasputin is puzzling. Was he the “Mad Monk?” Rasputin was certainly a controversial figure in history, and in “Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History,” Delin Colon continues the discussion and brings some clarity to the story of Grigory Efimovitch Rasputin.
Source Materials:
Rasputin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_...
Grigori Rasputin: http://www.focusdep.com/biographies/G...
Alexei Romanov: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_N...
Alexei Romanov as Tsesararevich: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsesarevich
Biography of Grigoriy Yefimovich Rasputin from The Biography Channel: http://www.biography.com/people/grigo...
Nicholas II of Russia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas...
Author and Book Sources:
www.Createspace.com
http://www.amazon.com/Rasputin-The-Je...
http://therealrasputin.wordpress.com
Please visit EndpaperReview.com.
by Dick Loftin.
Book Review:
“Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History”
by Delin Colon.
Publisher: Createspace, 2011
They were not allowed to own or lease land. They were banned from certain occupations, denied education, and segregated to living in a restricted, ghetto-like area. They were blamed for crimes, wars, and espionage. From the time of Peter the Great into our recent history, they were persecuted, slaughtered, separated from their families. Women were forced into prostitution in order to study or teach. Parents would bribe teachers and headmasters to admit their children to schools. All of this because they were judged to be tricksters and cheats, they were said to be shrewd and skilled at gaining advantage over others. All of this because they were Jews.
One man, Grigory Efimovitch Rasputin, a spiritual advisor to the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, and believed by them to be a holy man, worked to correct these wrongs. His efforts misunderstood, his reputation and position in history tarnished by those more powerful than himself is the basis for the book, “Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History,” by Delin Colon. Colon is the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin’s Jewish secretary.
Before I read Ms. Colon’s book, I knew very little about Rasputin. After finishing this book of just over 100 pages, I was left wondering if there may be two Rasputin’s in history. One, a man of deep faith, whose only concern was for his fellow man, who used his position of influence with the Tsar of Russia to try to help the less fortunate, particularly the Jews; or Two, a man who used religion as a tool for manipulation and to gain influence and favor for power, money and advantage. Either way, the conclusion is tragic, for Rasputin was assassinated in late December 1916, and the reign of Tsar Nicholas II ended with his death and that of the Romonov family in July 1918.
Who is this man who some say was a “devil-like figure,” and “The Mad Monk?” Colon’s book hopes to redeem the reputation of Rasputin, which she believes has been tarnished in books and movies throughout history.
Rasputin became known a healer, helping people with migraine headaches and other illnesses through prayer and the laying of hands. His reputation for healing became known to the Romanov family who sought help for young Alexei Romanov. Alexei suffered from hemophilia, a disease in which the blood is unable to clot, which can result in severe, unstoppable bleeding from something as simple as a cut. It would be of little consequence to most, but could be fatal for someone with the illness. The boy would bruise easily, causing internal bleeding and severe pain. When Rasputin entered the family’s lives in 1905, he was able to help the boy relax (some say through hypnosis) and allow his body to heal. Rasputin won the Tsar’s and the family’s confidence, with the Tsar referring to him as a “holy man” and “our friend.”
While Rasputin gained influence with the royal family, he was not entirely welcomed by the Russian elite. He was often accused of sexual misconduct and was said to have spent three months in a Monastery for theft as a teenager. Rasputin dismissed the sexual misconduct charges and the theft charges are noted only as a “possibility” in other source materials.
Whatever influence Rasputin may or may not have had over the royal family, his passion for human rights and the equal treatment of others is clear. He repeatedly councils the Tsar on human rights issues related to the Jews at a time in history when it was not popular to do so. Rasputin would not let human rights issues rest, and continued to work to remedy the problem to the end of his life.
Colon writes:
“Although Rasputin was said to have psychic capabilities, and many
of his predictions did come true, it does not take a psychic to forsee
that the extreme oppression of a large population will eventually lead
to agitation and revolution. Rasputin’s politics, simple and naïve as
they were, had the goal of providing plenty for the masses. Had the
Tsar followed Rasputin’s advice of equal rights, peace, and oppor-
tunities for all, revolution may well have been avoided.”
Rasputin also sympathized with the rights of women, giving them attention and consideration, which may have lead to the accusations of sexual impropriety, but the books states that Rasputin had relations with “women of all social classes.” “I speak to them, and they feel better,” Rasputin is quoted as saying.
The Tsar sought, and Rasputin offered, advice regarding social issues, cabinet appointments, saving the monarchy and other issues of the period. The Tsar would consider Rasputin’s advice, but would not always follow it. Once the appointees were in office, they would often back away from positions they promised to keep.
I have read several pieces written about Rasputin on the internet and watched many video clips, including a complete biography of Rasputin’s life. One piece I read of the life of Tsar Nicholas II, barely mentions Rasputin beyond the help he offered to Tsesarevich Alexei Romanov. And it specifically notes Alexandra wholeheartedly believed in Rasputin’s powers and “for the rest of her life she would defend him and turn her wrath against anyone who dared to question him.” For me, this is a powerful statement in support of Rasputin.
In the end, Rasputin is murdered, and months later the Tsar and his family are slain.
Many historians today believe Rasputin to be a scapegoat and so much of the story of Rasputin is puzzling. Was he the “Mad Monk?” Rasputin was certainly a controversial figure in history, and in “Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History,” Delin Colon continues the discussion and brings some clarity to the story of Grigory Efimovitch Rasputin.
Source Materials:
Rasputin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_...
Grigori Rasputin: http://www.focusdep.com/biographies/G...
Alexei Romanov: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_N...
Alexei Romanov as Tsesararevich: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsesarevich
Biography of Grigoriy Yefimovich Rasputin from The Biography Channel: http://www.biography.com/people/grigo...
Nicholas II of Russia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas...
Author and Book Sources:
www.Createspace.com
http://www.amazon.com/Rasputin-The-Je...
http://therealrasputin.wordpress.com
Please visit EndpaperReview.com.
January 17, 2012
Grigory Rasputin was a spiritual advisor to the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia and their family. In the tumultuous months and years after the fall of the Great Russian Empire, many versions of history were written. Yet all of them include, in one way or another, the tale of the great “Rasputin.” Even his enemies categorized Rasputin as a powerful historical figure of Russia in the early twentieth century. And while vilified by some historians, many other more academic and empirical examples of historical research reveal Rasputin’s role as a contemporary activist for equal rights. It was popular more than a hundred years ago in Russia to mistrust and hate Jews. Therefore, much of the writing that we find from that time places Rasputin in disrepute, since he pushed the Tsar to help Jews, but his opponents, who hated Jews, wrote the history books of the time. But not all of history is eventually written by the victorious or powerfully possessed element of that society. And certainly not all of what they wrote is an accurate characterization of figures foundational to those times.
This exposition explores the insidious foundations of prejudice against Jews in Russia at the turn of the twentieth century and Rasputin’s prodigious efforts to combat it. Although not a Jew himself, Rasputin fought for the rights of Jews with all of his faculties and abilities. In this book, we are treated to examples of Rasputin’s unyielding relationship with the Tsar and perhaps in greater depth with the Tsar’s wife. As a highly spiritual man, Rasputin despised all forms of prejudice and bigotry. During the period of his adult life, the single greatest violation of human rights in Russia was delivered against Jews. The popular trend at that time would have been to decry Jews. Instead, Rasputin defended them.
Rasputin and the Jews contains examples, stories, references, pictures and illustrations that bring the heartbreaking existence of early twentieth century Russian Jews to life in a powerful way not recently experienced. It delivers the magnitude of anti-Jewish prejudice throughout Russia, offering well-researched examples of why so many people throughout that time found it convenient to hate Jews.
Colon carefully examined the state of anti-Semitism in an age when Russian Jews were forced to be second-class citizens. Jews in early twentieth century Russia lived in the shadow of their ancestor’s extermination; from the Crusades to the Spanish Inquisition, from The Reformation and the English Expulsion, to the rise of Russian pogroms against innocent Jewish families, the Jews defended by Rasputin had for centuries been battered, beaten, enslaved, deprived, made despicable and forced into a life of subservience. Centuries of intolerance produced the Diaspora, in which Jews fled from extermination. In Russia, Jews were arbitrarily charged with ritual murder and blood libel and the Talmud was universally attacked by Christians, as well as leading political figures. Jews were almost universally oppressed and degraded. Violent pogroms against Jewish towns and villages were increasingly common, as my 102-year-old mother can still recall. Only Rasputin, and a few other brave souls, fought for the rights of innocent Jews. The examples of this are carefully delineated by Colon in Rasputin and the Jews.
Rasputin and the Jews is a powerful illustration of Russian prejudice – a tool for students of Russian history, Jewish history and the psychology of oppression and bigotry. Colon’s cogent examination of the relationship between Russian anti-Semitism and Rasputin’s forceful defense of Jews explains with eloquence the magnitude of illogical hatred of Russian Jews and the powerful influence of Russian anti-Semitism, much of which remains today - more than a hundred years later. Had we wished for any improvement in this book’s goal, it would have been to broaden the breadth and depth of research citations. Colon relies heavily upon the surviving notes of Rasputin’s Jewish secretary, Aron Simanovitch. A jeweler by trade, Simanovitch left copious notes behind for his progeny and for contemporary researchers. This constitutes the bulk of Colon’s research foundation. While many other Russian figures were cited, Simanovitch remains the person central to this book’s allegations. The book would have benefitted from a greater profundity of empirical and anecdotal references. At the same time, we understand that few contemporary individuals have provided a lucid analysis of these events, having had a first person relationship to them.
That being said, Colon’s dissertation remains a cogent analysis of virulent Russian anti-Semitism of the early twentieth century and of Rasputin’s obdurate effort to combat this prejudice with the Tsar, his family and with various levels of Russian military and political leadership. It is a brief but well-written exposition on Rasputin.
Charles S. Weinblatt
Author, Jacob’s Courage
http://tiny.cc/x7n90
This exposition explores the insidious foundations of prejudice against Jews in Russia at the turn of the twentieth century and Rasputin’s prodigious efforts to combat it. Although not a Jew himself, Rasputin fought for the rights of Jews with all of his faculties and abilities. In this book, we are treated to examples of Rasputin’s unyielding relationship with the Tsar and perhaps in greater depth with the Tsar’s wife. As a highly spiritual man, Rasputin despised all forms of prejudice and bigotry. During the period of his adult life, the single greatest violation of human rights in Russia was delivered against Jews. The popular trend at that time would have been to decry Jews. Instead, Rasputin defended them.
Rasputin and the Jews contains examples, stories, references, pictures and illustrations that bring the heartbreaking existence of early twentieth century Russian Jews to life in a powerful way not recently experienced. It delivers the magnitude of anti-Jewish prejudice throughout Russia, offering well-researched examples of why so many people throughout that time found it convenient to hate Jews.
Colon carefully examined the state of anti-Semitism in an age when Russian Jews were forced to be second-class citizens. Jews in early twentieth century Russia lived in the shadow of their ancestor’s extermination; from the Crusades to the Spanish Inquisition, from The Reformation and the English Expulsion, to the rise of Russian pogroms against innocent Jewish families, the Jews defended by Rasputin had for centuries been battered, beaten, enslaved, deprived, made despicable and forced into a life of subservience. Centuries of intolerance produced the Diaspora, in which Jews fled from extermination. In Russia, Jews were arbitrarily charged with ritual murder and blood libel and the Talmud was universally attacked by Christians, as well as leading political figures. Jews were almost universally oppressed and degraded. Violent pogroms against Jewish towns and villages were increasingly common, as my 102-year-old mother can still recall. Only Rasputin, and a few other brave souls, fought for the rights of innocent Jews. The examples of this are carefully delineated by Colon in Rasputin and the Jews.
Rasputin and the Jews is a powerful illustration of Russian prejudice – a tool for students of Russian history, Jewish history and the psychology of oppression and bigotry. Colon’s cogent examination of the relationship between Russian anti-Semitism and Rasputin’s forceful defense of Jews explains with eloquence the magnitude of illogical hatred of Russian Jews and the powerful influence of Russian anti-Semitism, much of which remains today - more than a hundred years later. Had we wished for any improvement in this book’s goal, it would have been to broaden the breadth and depth of research citations. Colon relies heavily upon the surviving notes of Rasputin’s Jewish secretary, Aron Simanovitch. A jeweler by trade, Simanovitch left copious notes behind for his progeny and for contemporary researchers. This constitutes the bulk of Colon’s research foundation. While many other Russian figures were cited, Simanovitch remains the person central to this book’s allegations. The book would have benefitted from a greater profundity of empirical and anecdotal references. At the same time, we understand that few contemporary individuals have provided a lucid analysis of these events, having had a first person relationship to them.
That being said, Colon’s dissertation remains a cogent analysis of virulent Russian anti-Semitism of the early twentieth century and of Rasputin’s obdurate effort to combat this prejudice with the Tsar, his family and with various levels of Russian military and political leadership. It is a brief but well-written exposition on Rasputin.
Charles S. Weinblatt
Author, Jacob’s Courage
http://tiny.cc/x7n90
August 30, 2013
Grigory Rasputin was probably one of the most controversial figures in the court of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. An uneducated Siberian peasant, he rose from his poor background to become the spiritual advisor to the Tsar and Tsarina. The Tsarina in particular was convinced that Rasputin was a healer and that he had saved the life of the heir to the throne, Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. As his influence grew, so did rumors and unease about his close relationship with the imperial family. He was accused of being a fraud and a charlatan who used his powers of hypnosis to control the Tsarina. When World War I began, both he and the Tsarina, who had been born in Germany, were accused of being German spies. Ultimately, Rasputin would be assassinated by a cousin of the Tsar. The imperial family would be murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918 to prevent them from being rescued by the white army. After the communist takeover of Russia, the imperial family and Rasputin would be vilified. While the characters of the members of the imperial family have been reconsidered since the fall of the Soviet Union, Rasputin is still considered a villain and a charlatan out to make a profit off of the vulnerable Tsarina. In the animated film Anastasia, Rasputin is portrayed as an evil villain out to destroy the imperial family.
Rasputin and the Jews is a modern examination of the life of Rasputin. The sources used include testimony from Rasputin's contemporaries including the diary of his Jewish secretary, Simonovitch. These sources paint a different picture of Rasputin. Russia in the time of Nicholas II was horrifically anti-Semitic. Jews were second class citizens who had limitations on where they could live, what careers were acceptable, and how many Jewish students would be allowed to study at universities. Simonovitch wrote in his memoirs that Rasputin used his influence with the Tsar to encourage him to reduce the harsh treatment of the Jewish citizens of Russia. In fact, Rasputin's pro-Jewish stance was probably one of the reasons that Rasputin was assassinated. Colon also addresses several other criticisms against Rasputin's character providing evidence that most of the money that he received from the imperial family was given to charity and that Rasputin's hypnosis abilities may have legitimately helped Alexei with his hemophilia.
Overall, I found this book to be an interesting reconsideration on one of the most controversial characters in Russian history. Ultimately, it is a reminder that history is often written by the victors, and that we shouldn't always take what is written in history books as absolute fact. The book does make the assumption that the reader is familiar with Rasputin's history with the imperial family. For that reason, I don't think it is a good beginning book on Rasputin and the imperial family. However, if like me, you are interested in the fall of imperial Russia, I highly recommend this book as an important contemporary examination on one of the most important figures in the court of Nicholas II.
Rasputin and the Jews is a modern examination of the life of Rasputin. The sources used include testimony from Rasputin's contemporaries including the diary of his Jewish secretary, Simonovitch. These sources paint a different picture of Rasputin. Russia in the time of Nicholas II was horrifically anti-Semitic. Jews were second class citizens who had limitations on where they could live, what careers were acceptable, and how many Jewish students would be allowed to study at universities. Simonovitch wrote in his memoirs that Rasputin used his influence with the Tsar to encourage him to reduce the harsh treatment of the Jewish citizens of Russia. In fact, Rasputin's pro-Jewish stance was probably one of the reasons that Rasputin was assassinated. Colon also addresses several other criticisms against Rasputin's character providing evidence that most of the money that he received from the imperial family was given to charity and that Rasputin's hypnosis abilities may have legitimately helped Alexei with his hemophilia.
Overall, I found this book to be an interesting reconsideration on one of the most controversial characters in Russian history. Ultimately, it is a reminder that history is often written by the victors, and that we shouldn't always take what is written in history books as absolute fact. The book does make the assumption that the reader is familiar with Rasputin's history with the imperial family. For that reason, I don't think it is a good beginning book on Rasputin and the imperial family. However, if like me, you are interested in the fall of imperial Russia, I highly recommend this book as an important contemporary examination on one of the most important figures in the court of Nicholas II.
February 10, 2012
It takes a special kind of person to undertake the task of changing deeply held perceptions of a historical character when there is no prospect of personal gain, yet that's what Delin Colón has done with Rasputin & the Jews: A Reversal of History.
To most people who know little about him, the name, Rasputin, conjures up an image of someone disheveled, evil and debauched. If they know a little more, they may be aware of his reputation for having supernatural powers which he used to exert mind control over Czarina Alexandra, as well as his proximity to Czar Nicholas II to advance his own purposes. The stories of the many attempts to murder him -- he was stabbed, poisoned, shot 3 times, bound and thrown into the river before he finally died, though it was never clear which of these actions ultimately did him in -- only built upon the legend of his dark powers as well as the need, by so many, to get rid of him. Although no one denies that Rasputin was unkempt-looking, he was, in reality, a monk with what seemed like an ability to predict the future (though it was often just common sense), and a deep concern for the downtrodden.
Inspired by the published memoir of her great-uncle, Aron Simanovich, who was Rasputin's Jewish secretary, as well as biographies written by Rasputin's daughters, and memoirs from the Czar's court, Colón demonstrates that Rasputin was maligned in history because he supported proper treatment of the Jews, much to the disdain of the Russian nobility and the Czar's officers who were fervent anti-Semites and who jockeyed amongst themselves for the Czar's favor.
Colón draws a vivid picture of what life was like for Jews during Nicholas II's reign over the Russian-occupied territories to show the environment in which Rasputin operated. Among the many way the Czar persecuted the Jews (beyond the pogroms) were many laws that made ordinary survival very difficult. For example, in order for a Jew to get into an institution of higher learning, his family needed to pay tuition for multiple Christian students. If a Jew was allowed to practice his profession, he was allowed to do only that, so "if an apothecary's assistant, unable to find work, opened a druggist's shop, for which his training qualified him," this was considered a "change of occupation, leading to the forfeiture of his residence." While Rasputin knew he was beating his head against a brick wall when it came to trying to talk to Nicholas about fair or equal treatment for the Jews, who had already, 100 years earlier, been banished to the Pale of Settlement by Catherine the Great, yet he never stopped to worry about his own welfare when he was looking out for people who needed a defender.
Rasputin & the Jews: A Reversal of History is a work of scholarship that urges us to rethink acquired prejudices. And what it points out is that Rasputin was as much a victim of anti-Semitism as was the Jewish population whom he sought to defend.
Bryna Kranzler, author of The Accidental Anarchist
To most people who know little about him, the name, Rasputin, conjures up an image of someone disheveled, evil and debauched. If they know a little more, they may be aware of his reputation for having supernatural powers which he used to exert mind control over Czarina Alexandra, as well as his proximity to Czar Nicholas II to advance his own purposes. The stories of the many attempts to murder him -- he was stabbed, poisoned, shot 3 times, bound and thrown into the river before he finally died, though it was never clear which of these actions ultimately did him in -- only built upon the legend of his dark powers as well as the need, by so many, to get rid of him. Although no one denies that Rasputin was unkempt-looking, he was, in reality, a monk with what seemed like an ability to predict the future (though it was often just common sense), and a deep concern for the downtrodden.
Inspired by the published memoir of her great-uncle, Aron Simanovich, who was Rasputin's Jewish secretary, as well as biographies written by Rasputin's daughters, and memoirs from the Czar's court, Colón demonstrates that Rasputin was maligned in history because he supported proper treatment of the Jews, much to the disdain of the Russian nobility and the Czar's officers who were fervent anti-Semites and who jockeyed amongst themselves for the Czar's favor.
Colón draws a vivid picture of what life was like for Jews during Nicholas II's reign over the Russian-occupied territories to show the environment in which Rasputin operated. Among the many way the Czar persecuted the Jews (beyond the pogroms) were many laws that made ordinary survival very difficult. For example, in order for a Jew to get into an institution of higher learning, his family needed to pay tuition for multiple Christian students. If a Jew was allowed to practice his profession, he was allowed to do only that, so "if an apothecary's assistant, unable to find work, opened a druggist's shop, for which his training qualified him," this was considered a "change of occupation, leading to the forfeiture of his residence." While Rasputin knew he was beating his head against a brick wall when it came to trying to talk to Nicholas about fair or equal treatment for the Jews, who had already, 100 years earlier, been banished to the Pale of Settlement by Catherine the Great, yet he never stopped to worry about his own welfare when he was looking out for people who needed a defender.
Rasputin & the Jews: A Reversal of History is a work of scholarship that urges us to rethink acquired prejudices. And what it points out is that Rasputin was as much a victim of anti-Semitism as was the Jewish population whom he sought to defend.
Bryna Kranzler, author of The Accidental Anarchist
February 13, 2012
Grigory Rasputin has long been a legendary figure, surrounded by sensational stories of power, wealth, and extravagances on many levels. Hold on to that thought, because I will return to it shortly.
I am generally interested in good nonfiction, provided that it isn't dry, dusty going. Having just finished "Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History" by Delin Colon, I have to recommend it as a stellar piece of nonfiction for several reasons.
First, the writing is quite good. Her skills as a writer aid her argumentation as well as the reader's experience. Delin is articulate and her smooth sentences make for uninterpreted reading. Though the book is compact, it is not difficult reading because every paragraph matters and generally each one reveals some new and previously-unknown element of Rasputin's life.
Second, the book is fascinating. The fall of the Romanov Empire, the folly and evils of the aristocracy, the truth about Rasputin himself....Being the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin's secretary, Delin has an intriguing, well-supported story to tell and she clearly communicates its importance. Additionally, it's fascinating because of its complexity- the story is not a simple one.
Third, this book comes well-supported. Delin's argument is clear, her reasoning is logical, and her sources (nearly 30) are varied in their biases and context is given for each one. The multitude of evidence she presents is convincing and thought-provoking. As I mentioned earlier, Rasputin has long been a sensational historical figure. In "Rasputin and the Jews", Delin Colon clears the mud of sensationalism off Grigory Rasputin and shows readers a humble man of God who fought for equality and peace at the cost of his own life.
If you are interested in history or social justice, teach history, like to be challenged by new perspectives, or want to discover something many people don't know but should, read "Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History."
I am generally interested in good nonfiction, provided that it isn't dry, dusty going. Having just finished "Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History" by Delin Colon, I have to recommend it as a stellar piece of nonfiction for several reasons.
First, the writing is quite good. Her skills as a writer aid her argumentation as well as the reader's experience. Delin is articulate and her smooth sentences make for uninterpreted reading. Though the book is compact, it is not difficult reading because every paragraph matters and generally each one reveals some new and previously-unknown element of Rasputin's life.
Second, the book is fascinating. The fall of the Romanov Empire, the folly and evils of the aristocracy, the truth about Rasputin himself....Being the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin's secretary, Delin has an intriguing, well-supported story to tell and she clearly communicates its importance. Additionally, it's fascinating because of its complexity- the story is not a simple one.
Third, this book comes well-supported. Delin's argument is clear, her reasoning is logical, and her sources (nearly 30) are varied in their biases and context is given for each one. The multitude of evidence she presents is convincing and thought-provoking. As I mentioned earlier, Rasputin has long been a sensational historical figure. In "Rasputin and the Jews", Delin Colon clears the mud of sensationalism off Grigory Rasputin and shows readers a humble man of God who fought for equality and peace at the cost of his own life.
If you are interested in history or social justice, teach history, like to be challenged by new perspectives, or want to discover something many people don't know but should, read "Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History."
July 5, 2012
While it is important to study history to learn about people and events in our past; this genre is rarely on my list of books to peruse. However, after interviewing Delin Colon and then reading her book, “Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal In History,” I admit that I was unable to put this book down… intrigued by her attempt to dispel the inaccuracies of Rasputin’s life. I was fascinated from beginning to the very last page.
Interestingly, Delin is the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin's Jewish secretary. This enabled Aron to keep a journal of his experiences. She inherited his outdated memoirs and learned first-hand about Rasputin’s life and his dedication to helping oppressed Russian Jews.
After a decade of research and finding many variations of stories told by others; along with discrepancies with each story; she was determined to rewrite history and ‘right’ the ‘wrong’ betrayal of Rasputin.
Delin is an amazing writer, articulate and skillful. She was able to grasp my attention and keep it throughout the book. Her accounts are factual and backed up by well supported evidence.
Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal In History is a must read for those who enjoy history. Through her hard work and dedication, Delin is successful in her attempt to bury scandals surrounding Rasputin and exposes the real man… modest and religious with the passion to help people; even at the risk of losing his life. He was poisoned, shot, beaten and thrown into a river by government officials.
Interestingly, Delin is the great-great niece of Aron Simanovitch, Rasputin's Jewish secretary. This enabled Aron to keep a journal of his experiences. She inherited his outdated memoirs and learned first-hand about Rasputin’s life and his dedication to helping oppressed Russian Jews.
After a decade of research and finding many variations of stories told by others; along with discrepancies with each story; she was determined to rewrite history and ‘right’ the ‘wrong’ betrayal of Rasputin.
Delin is an amazing writer, articulate and skillful. She was able to grasp my attention and keep it throughout the book. Her accounts are factual and backed up by well supported evidence.
Rasputin and The Jews: A Reversal In History is a must read for those who enjoy history. Through her hard work and dedication, Delin is successful in her attempt to bury scandals surrounding Rasputin and exposes the real man… modest and religious with the passion to help people; even at the risk of losing his life. He was poisoned, shot, beaten and thrown into a river by government officials.
March 4, 2012
Most historians have dismissed Grigory Rasputin as a depraved lunatic and one of the primary causes of the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. This new book by Delin Colon draws on sources written by people who actually knew him, especially his personal secretary Aron Simanovitch. Quite a different picture results from Colon's work. The Rasputin that emerges is that of a sound (but often ignored) adviser to the Tsar; a man of God who tried to advocate for all of the peasantry of Russia, including the Jews. Anyone interested in the events leading up to the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the Russian Revolution should read this book.
August 24, 2012
An insightful and passionate defense of a much maligned figure. The wealth of evidence for me , shows the innocence and good this man did. Miss Colon shows how hatred of Jews, Rasputin's alleged power and his popularity with people over other clergy led to tales and mistruths that snowballed to popular media depictions that distort what this man truly was. A gentle servant of God who helped all regardless of faith. A wonderfully researched history.
Want to read
December 30, 2011My mom pointed me at this article, which I found quite interesting. And I'm happy to see the author is already a GR Author! :)
November 9, 2013
$0.0
The Victor writes the story of history, and such is the case of Rasputin. Never has there been a more misrepresented person in history, at least not that I am aware of. We are only told of all of his vices, and that he was the cause of the Russian Revolution, along with many other things that I cannot remember.
In this book his great, great-niece sets out to right his wrongs and paints a completely different picture of Rasputin than I ever thought possible. She uses many written resources, and I have learned quite a bit from this book. For some reason I always assumed that Rasputin was a Jew, but he was raised in the Russian Orthodox Church but was all for anyone who had a belief in God. There is story after story of how he helped the Jews who were persecuted horribly during the time of Nicholas II even though he was uneducated and almost illiterate. He still enjoyed teaching and discussing religious questions, philosophy, and morality. He did his best to help others without wanting to be paid for his services.
I always thought he was an evil villain and his only claim to fame was that he had the ear of the Tsarina, but others blame him (and the Jews) for the Russian Revolution without taking into consideration all the hardships that most of the people had to endure. The latter is absurd to me because no one person could ever have that much power, at least not in his position. Still one has to wonder that if all of the things that he suggested to Nicholas were put in place, perhaps Russia would have a different history.
Because I have no reason to believe that the author (and many others) are not sincere in what they have written, I can take this as truth although it is EXTREMELY lopsided because I feel like she is painting a picture of Jesus Christ instead of Grigori Rasputin. After all there are two sides to every story, and while she admits he began drinking after the assassination attempt on his life, she excuses all the other accusations.
It seems like the myth and legend of Rasputin will live on, but whenever I read anything else about that time in history, I will be thinking about this book.
The Victor writes the story of history, and such is the case of Rasputin. Never has there been a more misrepresented person in history, at least not that I am aware of. We are only told of all of his vices, and that he was the cause of the Russian Revolution, along with many other things that I cannot remember.
In this book his great, great-niece sets out to right his wrongs and paints a completely different picture of Rasputin than I ever thought possible. She uses many written resources, and I have learned quite a bit from this book. For some reason I always assumed that Rasputin was a Jew, but he was raised in the Russian Orthodox Church but was all for anyone who had a belief in God. There is story after story of how he helped the Jews who were persecuted horribly during the time of Nicholas II even though he was uneducated and almost illiterate. He still enjoyed teaching and discussing religious questions, philosophy, and morality. He did his best to help others without wanting to be paid for his services.
I always thought he was an evil villain and his only claim to fame was that he had the ear of the Tsarina, but others blame him (and the Jews) for the Russian Revolution without taking into consideration all the hardships that most of the people had to endure. The latter is absurd to me because no one person could ever have that much power, at least not in his position. Still one has to wonder that if all of the things that he suggested to Nicholas were put in place, perhaps Russia would have a different history.
Because I have no reason to believe that the author (and many others) are not sincere in what they have written, I can take this as truth although it is EXTREMELY lopsided because I feel like she is painting a picture of Jesus Christ instead of Grigori Rasputin. After all there are two sides to every story, and while she admits he began drinking after the assassination attempt on his life, she excuses all the other accusations.
It seems like the myth and legend of Rasputin will live on, but whenever I read anything else about that time in history, I will be thinking about this book.
December 14, 2012
History tells us that, once a myth is planted in the archives of recollection, it is difficult to root out. As a corollary, it's rare to find scholarship that reverses popular, dominant perceptions of people, settings, and events. In her compelling monograph, Rasputin and the Jews, scholar and author Delin Colon does just that.
Colon's book focuses on the myths about Rasputin, the Russian healer, mystic, and human rights activist who rose to prominence in Tsarist Russia, survived vicious slander from the Tsar's court down, endured social and political upheaval, only to be assassinated by a cohort of displaced noblemen and right-wing politicians.
In her exploration of the case against Rasputin, Colon establishes the mythic elements connected with his life and methodically knocks them down. Colon's convincing research and reportage contradicts Rasputin's reputation as a demonic womanizer, a drunkard, charlatan and spy. Not satisfied with shattering the myths surrounding this complex figure, Colon's deep research places Rasputin squarely in the midst of a harshly anti-Semitic Russia where a weak-willed Tsar condoned pogroms, expulsion, and relentless persecution of Russian Jewry.
But the success of Colon's work extends beyond her persuasive portrayal of Rasputin, his values and the courageous stance he took in defense of Russia's Jews. "Rasputin and the Jews" exposes the tools of mythmaking -- yellow journalism, court and legislative slander, class, cultural, and ethnic bigotry, even violence -- that a dominant power deploys to maintain its wobbling grasp on power.
Finally, Colon portrays the mythmaking swamp that surrounded this "unique product of the peasantry" as a model of how dangerous free will and independent thought and action can become and how hard the dominant power will work to diminish, humiliate, and destroy its proponents.
Colon's book focuses on the myths about Rasputin, the Russian healer, mystic, and human rights activist who rose to prominence in Tsarist Russia, survived vicious slander from the Tsar's court down, endured social and political upheaval, only to be assassinated by a cohort of displaced noblemen and right-wing politicians.
In her exploration of the case against Rasputin, Colon establishes the mythic elements connected with his life and methodically knocks them down. Colon's convincing research and reportage contradicts Rasputin's reputation as a demonic womanizer, a drunkard, charlatan and spy. Not satisfied with shattering the myths surrounding this complex figure, Colon's deep research places Rasputin squarely in the midst of a harshly anti-Semitic Russia where a weak-willed Tsar condoned pogroms, expulsion, and relentless persecution of Russian Jewry.
But the success of Colon's work extends beyond her persuasive portrayal of Rasputin, his values and the courageous stance he took in defense of Russia's Jews. "Rasputin and the Jews" exposes the tools of mythmaking -- yellow journalism, court and legislative slander, class, cultural, and ethnic bigotry, even violence -- that a dominant power deploys to maintain its wobbling grasp on power.
Finally, Colon portrays the mythmaking swamp that surrounded this "unique product of the peasantry" as a model of how dangerous free will and independent thought and action can become and how hard the dominant power will work to diminish, humiliate, and destroy its proponents.
December 26, 2012
A well researched and documented account of what might be closer to the real life of Rasputin than legend would have us believe The author has gone way beyond the call of duty to prove any statement and hypothesis made- almost a quarter of the book is bibliography and references. Which is very reassuring and gives a lot of credibility to the work.
If I had to chose one thing to criticize it would have to be the number of examples or testimonies for each point. For my personal taste sometimes the point was already well made but there were still more to come. While I appreciate that this had to be done in light of the overbearing weight the well established legend around Rasputin has, it did stop the flow of the book occasionally.
If I had to chose one thing to criticize it would have to be the number of examples or testimonies for each point. For my personal taste sometimes the point was already well made but there were still more to come. While I appreciate that this had to be done in light of the overbearing weight the well established legend around Rasputin has, it did stop the flow of the book occasionally.
January 12, 2012
I do not claim to be in the same league as the previous reviewers. My frame of reference is poor, and being a Methodist, not one saturated with knowledge of Jewish heritage. The author has addressed a subject matter conceived as truth and shed new light upon it to reveal fact, not fiction. Just as we were taught that Columbus discovered America and accepted it as truth, such was the story of Rasputin handed down as fiction, now revealed as fact.
My hat is off to Delin Colon for taking the bull by the horns and bringing it to heel. A well-written documentation of facts that vindicates a true man of God.
My hat is off to Delin Colon for taking the bull by the horns and bringing it to heel. A well-written documentation of facts that vindicates a true man of God.
February 24, 2013
While I usually do not read this genre one must always try to gain more knowledge.This book dispels so many myths about Rasputin and the Russians and the way he felt about the Jewish people and the wrongs that were committed against them. I enjoyed reading the historical facts and learning about this man and the times he lived in.
September 15, 2012
I found the book to be poorly organized and repetitive. The author gives far too much credit to ability of Rasputin to influence or change political events. It is ironic as the opponents of Rasputin used the same tactic to undermine his relationship with the Imperial family.
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