Notes of the Danish Ambassador to Peter the Great. 1709-1711
14.99 €
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Notes of the Danish Ambassador to Peter the Great. 1709-1711
14.99 €
In the year of Russia's victory at Poltava (1709), King Frederick IV of Denmark sent Just Juhl, a naval commander in the Danish service, to Peter the Great as his envoy.
A courageous sailor and intelligent diplomat, Vice-Admiral Just Juhl left remarkable diaries of his stay in Russia. These are the meticulous notes of a contemporary, a participant in the events. The Dane's diaries are distinguished by keen observation, an interest in the details of Russian life, and attention to the minutiae of everyday life, particularly secular and ecclesiastical rituals, technical matters, and economic matters. Their emotional intensity, which brings history to life, also brings Juhl to life. In some episodes, Juhl reveals both the strength and weakness of the Russian emperor, expressing horror at the drunken barbarity of the royal court of the time, but also admiring Peter's intelligence, resourcefulness, and... cunning. The same applies to his assessments of other historical figures, both Russian and foreign.
These diaries are not easy reading, but they are quite captivating. The manuscript was restored and translated by the remarkable diplomat and historian Yuri Shcherbachev back in 1899, but remains of great interest to history buffs today.
A courageous sailor and intelligent diplomat, Vice-Admiral Just Juhl left remarkable diaries of his stay in Russia. These are the meticulous notes of a contemporary, a participant in the events. The Dane's diaries are distinguished by keen observation, an interest in the details of Russian life, and attention to the minutiae of everyday life, particularly secular and ecclesiastical rituals, technical matters, and economic matters. Their emotional intensity, which brings history to life, also brings Juhl to life. In some episodes, Juhl reveals both the strength and weakness of the Russian emperor, expressing horror at the drunken barbarity of the royal court of the time, but also admiring Peter's intelligence, resourcefulness, and... cunning. The same applies to his assessments of other historical figures, both Russian and foreign.
These diaries are not easy reading, but they are quite captivating. The manuscript was restored and translated by the remarkable diplomat and historian Yuri Shcherbachev back in 1899, but remains of great interest to history buffs today.
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author