Bowden P. (Trey) -
Helpful Score: 1
The Bloody White Baron is one I sought out because of the forums at rpg.net The author, James Palmer, is a regular there. And as far as I know, there is no relationship.
So what's it about? Ungern Sternberg, a Baltic Russian aristocrat of German descent born near the turn of the 20th century. What makes him unique is that he eventually wound up in Mongolia as the 'last khan.'
As Palmer portrays Sternberg, he's a violent, sadistic, loony of a loser. He's bounced out of two military academies. He's got a violent, evil temper and a taste for alcohol that doesn't help matters at all. He also has a fascination with Eastern religions and an authoritarian monarchist streak that I find hard to grasp.
Sternberg starts to earn some note as fighter during the Russo-Japanese war. After that, he winds up in Siberia as part of a Russian cavalry troop. From there, he's discharged and wanders into Mongolia. As World War I breaks out, followed by the Russian Revolution, his fortunes take off. He winds up deep in the White efforts in Siberia, earning his own region of control where his sadistic tendencies get their full outlet.
As the Reds begin to make inroads into Siberia, he and his forces are pushed into Mongolia and there the legend of the Bloody White Baron takes off. And much of the legend is a confused bloody mess with strategic decisions influenced by fortune tellers and soothesayers and a desire to reinstate the head of Mongolian Buddhism.
This sounds awfully confusing, I know. But Palmer does an excellent job of painting a portrait of the man, his actions, his times and what shaped him. Its a very good book about an obscure and forgotten monster, from a period of time that doesn't get much press. Its worth taking a look at because it puts the story in context of the period, locale and religion (for what its worth, it does not have a flattering view of Buddhism).
Likes: Nice overview of the Russian Revolution and Civil War in Siberia and Mongolia, context, a peek into a part of history not widely covered or discussed, bringing a forgotten monster into the light, a view of Buddhism that one doesn't often see.
Dislikes: Can't think of much. Could have used a list of the main players and characters.
So what's it about? Ungern Sternberg, a Baltic Russian aristocrat of German descent born near the turn of the 20th century. What makes him unique is that he eventually wound up in Mongolia as the 'last khan.'
As Palmer portrays Sternberg, he's a violent, sadistic, loony of a loser. He's bounced out of two military academies. He's got a violent, evil temper and a taste for alcohol that doesn't help matters at all. He also has a fascination with Eastern religions and an authoritarian monarchist streak that I find hard to grasp.
Sternberg starts to earn some note as fighter during the Russo-Japanese war. After that, he winds up in Siberia as part of a Russian cavalry troop. From there, he's discharged and wanders into Mongolia. As World War I breaks out, followed by the Russian Revolution, his fortunes take off. He winds up deep in the White efforts in Siberia, earning his own region of control where his sadistic tendencies get their full outlet.
As the Reds begin to make inroads into Siberia, he and his forces are pushed into Mongolia and there the legend of the Bloody White Baron takes off. And much of the legend is a confused bloody mess with strategic decisions influenced by fortune tellers and soothesayers and a desire to reinstate the head of Mongolian Buddhism.
This sounds awfully confusing, I know. But Palmer does an excellent job of painting a portrait of the man, his actions, his times and what shaped him. Its a very good book about an obscure and forgotten monster, from a period of time that doesn't get much press. Its worth taking a look at because it puts the story in context of the period, locale and religion (for what its worth, it does not have a flattering view of Buddhism).
Likes: Nice overview of the Russian Revolution and Civil War in Siberia and Mongolia, context, a peek into a part of history not widely covered or discussed, bringing a forgotten monster into the light, a view of Buddhism that one doesn't often see.
Dislikes: Can't think of much. Could have used a list of the main players and characters.
