The story of my life. Memoirs of a Minister of War. 1853-1907.

The book is the first part of the memoirs of Professor of the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff, Minister of War of the Russian Empire in 1905-1909 A.F. Rediger. It covers his childhood, years of study, the beginning of his military career, participation in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, service in Bulgaria, and concludes with a description of the events of the revolution of 1905-1907 and the initial measures to reform the War Ministry after the unsuccessful Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The author of the memoirs not only vividly depicts the events he witnessed but also provides a balanced assessment of them. Of particular interest are his characterizations of Nicholas II, his closest circle, ministers, and other prominent contemporaries.