Paul Bushkovitch writes: The Diary of General Patrick Gordon, now in the original language, is the most important source for Russian and European history of the seventeenth century to be published in decades. The present superbly edited volume contains an absolutely unique eyewitness account of the main action in the first of Russia’s many wars with the Ottoman Empire. Gordon’s record of events and his observations are not limited to military matters, and provide material for the political, social, and cultural history of Russia as well as that of the Ukrainian Cossacks.

Patrick Gordon (1635-1699), born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was a Soldier of Fortune who became a Russian general under Tsar Peter I. He was a close friend and advisor to the Tsar. After his death in 1699, Gordon left detailed diary of his life and times, written in English.

Dmitry Fedosov CorrFRSE is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of World History at Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Russia. Dr Fedosov is an expert on medieval and early modern history of Russia, Scotland, and Scotland-Russia links from the Middle Ages to the present. He is also the co-founder and chairman of the Moscow Caledonian Club, established in 1994. Scotland, and Scotland-Russia links from the Middle Ages to the present. He is also the co-founder and chairman of the Moscow Caledonian Club, established in 1994.