Maksim M. Stelmak To the publication by A.V. Minzhurenko of essays on the political history of Omsk during the Civil War

Abstract

The study is an author’s analytical review of the novelty — the popular science publication A.V. Minzhurenko Essays on the political history of Omsk during the Civil War. In his work, the author describes the socio-political events taking place in Omsk in 1917–1920, taking into account all leading actors. Due to the specifics of the topic, the main scientific method used in the preparation of the review is the problem-oriented one. At the same time, the principles of systematicity and determinism made it possible to characterize the book as a phenomenon in scholarly life that forms part of general historical knowledge, although it contains a number of controversial and ambiguous statements. The review outlines the general substantive component of the popular science publication. The author also places a subjective emphasis on certain aspects, including interpretations and assessments of the actions of A.V. Kolchak’s Russian government, the personality of the Supreme Ruler and Supreme Commander, his political opponents, and other phenomena of this period in Omsk’s history. Central attention is given to the situation in Omsk in 1918–1919 and to the ambiguous personality of Admiral A.V. Kolchak, as well as to the reasons for his military and political defeat. The reviewer notes the high level, thoroughness, and painstaking nature of the work carried out by the author of the book — Omsk historian Alexander Vasilievich Minzhurenko. In conclusion, the publication is assessed as especially useful for further study of the Civil War in Siberia. At the same time, on a number of issues, a broader source base could have been employed. The publication also raises several debatable questions concerning an important layer of the history of the Great Russian Revolution of 1917–1922.

Keywords:

Civil war; Siberia; Omsk; A.V. Kolchak; Socio-Political Activities; Political Parties; Third Way

For citation:

Stelmak M.M. To the publication by A.V. Minzhurenko of essays on the political history of Omsk during the Civil War // The Historical Reporter. 2026. Vol. LVI. P. 200–235. DOI: 10.35549/HR.2025.2026.56.007

Maksim M. Stelmak
C.Sc. (History), Leading Archivist of the Civil War History Research Center of the Omsk Region. Omsk, Russian Federation.
e-mail: stelmakmm@mail.ru
SPIN-код: 4328-1399
AuthorID: 772229
ORCID: 0000-0002-1329-9481

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