R ichard G. R obbins J r . Overtaken by the Night

The long story of Vladimir Fedorovich Dzhunkovsky’s life across a dramatic arc of Russia’s history, from the hopeful era of the Great Reforms of Tsar Alexander II into the dark days of Stalin’s Great Terror, forms Overtaken by Night: One Russian’s Journey through Peace, War, Revolution, & Terror, written by Richard G. Robbins Jr. Dzhunkovsky—born to privilege, educated at the elite Corps of Pages, and enrolled in the storied Preobrazhensky Guards—advanced through high office and public acclaim, including as governor of Moscow and, later, as the empire’s reform-minded security chief (xvii). For a lengthy period, he enjoyed favor with the royal family, even frequently dining alone with Nicholas II and Alexandra, but like many others he eventually aroused the ire of Alexandra and in 1915 was dismissed. He then, in the midst of World War I, took up his army officer status, commanded his front-line troops, and apparently won the affection of his men. Initially imprisoned after the Bolshevik Revolution, after release he passed into an obscure and painful existence as a “former person,” but nevertheless was periodically consulted by some Bolshevik leaders until his arrest and execution in 1938 as part of Stalin’s Great Terror. Truly a remarkable life, and a fascinating story.

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