An Englishman in the Russian Ranks: Soldier, Explorer, Statesman

Finding himself on the German/Russian border on the eve of the First World War, John Morse effects his escape to the Russian lines and becomes embroiled in the fighting while trying to leave the country, serving with the Russian cavalry. He experiences first hand the Russian military machine, a force characterized by individual bravery and tenacity in the face of the enemy, but pitifully ill equipped to face the most modern army on earth. He spends 10 months in Poland witnessing brutality and military incompetence on both sides before being captured by the Germans, escaping, and returning home. A stirring tale of one man’s unique experience of war, this is a comparatively rare account of warfare on the Eastern Front of World War One, as experienced by one unwitting Englishman.