Anna Reid is a historian and journalist. Her previous books are Borderland: a Journey through the History of Ukraine, now in its fourth edition, The Shaman's Coat: a Native History of Siberia, and Leningrad: Tragedy of a City under Siege, 1941-44, which was shortlisted for the Duff Cooper Prize and has been translated into eighteen languages. She is a former Kyiv correspondent for The Economist, and a trustee of the Ukrainian Institute London.
"Reid brilliantly depicts the disastrous failure of our intervention in the ""Russian"" civil war. The atmosphere, the characters, the absurdity are all there -- Antony Beevor In witty, elegant prose, Anna Reid uncovers the true story of the West's failed and forgotten attempt to reverse the Bolshevik revolution. Excellent background to today's events -- Anne Applebaum Britain's most forgotten war, brilliantly remembered -- Simon Jenkins Reid brings this little-known period thrillingly back to life . . . A vivid and sparkling account, full of colour and dark drama -- The Observer Chillingly original -- Max Hastings, 'Pick of the Week', The Times Elegantly written, and drawing on extensive archival research . . . This remarkable book is simultaneously comic and horrifying -- BBC History Magazine, Books of the Year Unusually entertaining -- London Review of Books Thoroughly researched, stylish and entertaining -- Financial Times"