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Glorious Misadventures: Nikolai Rezanov and the Dream of a Russian America | Owen Matthews

2 posts | 1 read | 4 to read

The Russian Empire once extended deep into America: in 1818 Russia's furthest outposts were in California and Hawaii. The dreamer behind this great Imperial vision was Nikolai Rezanov ? diplomat, adventurer, courtier, millionaire and gambler. His quest to plant Russian colonies from Siberia to California led him to San Francisco, where he was captivated by Conchita, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the Spanish Governor, who embodied his dreams of both love and empire. From the glittering court of Catherine the Great to the wilds of the New World, Matthews conjures a brilliantly original portrait of one of Russia's most eccentric Empire-builders.

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Oblomov26

Glorious Misadventures: Nikolai Rezanov and the Dream of a Russian America | Owen Matthews

pick

What a strange tale. Rezanov was a Russian bureaucrat, who as a widower in his forties and as director of Russia's American Company convinces the Tsar to appoint him the ambassador to Japan a role that did not exist and which the Japanese did not want. What followed was vanity, madness, humiliation, a trip to the heart of darkness in Russia's Alaska colonies and a romance with the 15 year old daughter of the governor of Spanish San Diego.

Oblomov26 Oh and a declaration of war against Japan which was unknown by the Tsar and his government. And what makes it all stranger is that it is all true 7y

ValerieAndBooks Truth is stranger than fiction right?! 7y

Oblomov26 @ValerieAndBooks exactly Twains comment about fiction needing to stick to reality 7y

50 likes3 stack adds3 comments

Oblomov26

Glorious Misadventures: Nikolai Rezanov and the Dream of a Russian America | Owen Matthews

The opening quote of the book I have just picked up. Loved Dead Souls, and like general B I think of myself as endowed with virtues and defects.

41 likes