The Degaev Affair: Terror and Treason in Tsarist Russia

Pipes does a very fine job of eliciting from scant evidence the details of Degaev's personal story. And he exercises due caution in interpreting that evidence. The young Degaev, Russian ideologue and terrorist, emerges fairly distinctly from the evidence -- though one has the impression that there's more to his story than the available record indicates; the older Degaev, professor of mathematics in the midwestern US, emerges less distinctly. That these two Degaev's should have been one and the same person, is fascinating indeed. What the fact says about terrorism and the rise of terrorists is less clear to me. I think RP does well not to infer too much on this score. He leaves it to the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. TGA is an exemplary piece of historical reconstruction, and a very entertaining read.

A great little book about the war between the Russian Secret Police and the terrorist organization People's Will. The Russian Secret Police was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Sudeikin and the People's Will by Vera Figner. The People's Will was executing high Tsarist officials and the Russian Secret Police decided to destroy the People's Will from within. They turned members of this terrorist party against the organization and destroyed it. Sergei Degaev was turned and betrayed his comrades. When he finally came to terms with himself, he confided his betrayal to the People's Will and they helped him kill Sudeikin. He then emigrates to the United States where he becomes a Professor of Mathematics at the University of North Dakota.This is an interesting and quick read. I find it fascinating that some of the Russian Secret Police actually collaborated with the People's Will. For a similar story of betrayal, see Comrade Valentine, The True Story of Azef the Spy-The most dangerous Man in Russia at the Time of the Last Czars by Richard E. Rubenstein.

Considering the limitations that existed about its subject, The Degaev Affair is surprisingly informative. The story of a key Russian revolutionary would be interesting enough. But, Degaev's many role changes, including informant, murderer, and professor, lends a fascinating psychological aspect to the story that leaves the reader wanting to know more about his motivations. To satisfy this curiosity, Pipes would have had to venture into the realm of speculation. Fortunately, he recognized that he didn't have enough primary research material to allow him to justify random speculation. Instead, he chose to rely on the story's intrinsic strength by simply relating its facts. In taking this path, Pipes treats his subject with a respect that wouldn't have existed had he engaged in casual conjecture. Some may bemoan the book's brevity given the story's interesting qualities. But, those who look past the length will find rewards that belie the book's briefness. One will find a well-written retelling that highlights one person's role in shaping both the Russian revolutionary movement and the government's response to that movement. Additionally, enough material is presented to allow the reader to draw parallels with current events. Thanks to Pipes' uncomplicated presentation, The Degaev Affair stands as a distinctive look at a unique case.

Although this book is offered as a portrait of a young Russian terrorist who eventually became a beloved professor of mathematics at the University of South Dakota, it is also an invaluable look into the minds of terrorists. Russia, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, consisted of a newly educated commercial and industrial class that was rising in wealth and power -- perhaps 10 percent of the population. The other 90 percent were peasants, totally dedicated to the monarchy with an absolute trust the Czar would solve all of their problems. The self-made newly rich, frustrated by the status quo, wanted revolutionary change that would make everyone rich. Sergei Degaev, the son of a doctor, was frustrated by the lack of social progress in Russia. Pipes explains, "When life offers little so that the results of ideological work are not yet evident, the activist wants to see some concrete, palpable manifestation of his will, his power." If it sounds familiar, think of the well-educated middle class Palestinian youth who volunteer to be suicide bombers, plus the support they receive from other Palestinians. Pipes cites similar attitudes in Russia in the 1880's. Terror was born as the original "shock and awe" campaign; assassinate the Czar, and Russia would rise up in glorious revolt that would bring democracy, justice and prosperity for all. Pipes writes, "For some dimly understood reason, in modern societies from time to time, a sizable body of the young is seized by an overpowering destructive urge which, at the same time, exhibits self-destructive symptoms." Degaev became part of a terrorist network dedicated to changing the entire social structure and attitudes of Russia by means of a few assassinations. Terrorists killed Czar Alexander II in 1881. But when US President James Garfield was assassinated the same year, Degaev's group wrote to Americans, "In a country where individual freedom offers opportunities for honest ideological struggle, where the free will of the nation determines not only the law but also the personality of those who govern -- in such a country, political assassination as a means of struggle is a manifestation of the same despotic spirit, the destruction of which in Russia is our goal . . . . . violence is justified only when it is directed against violence." Keep in mind the vast social changes the world was seeing in the second half of the nineteenth century through industrialization and global trade; America fought a bloody civil war pitting the new industrialism against the old slave-owning mentality. For many, whether in America with the new industrialization or in Russia with the overthrow of the Czar, the future held unlimited promise and opportunities. It's hardly new. Eric Hoffer in 'The True Believer' illustrates the rage of those who expect instant utopia and will blindly follow anyone who promises fulfillment. Pipes explains that ". . . since in our imperfect world there are always matter