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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 and now edited by Dmitry Fedosov. In the second volume, he continues his account of service in Warsaw and elsewhere in Poland before moving to Moscow in 1661 with Paul Menzies and others. He tells of the difficulties with officialdom in his early years and his more successful military activities, often in the company of fellow Scots. He also gives a full description of a mission to London, including meetings with Charles II.

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 and now edited by Dmitry Fedosov. The third 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 and now edited by Dmitry Fedosov. The fourth volume, detailing the years 1684-1689, describes all manner of military activities, in particular two campaigns against the Ottoman Turks culminating in the capture of their fortress at Azov. In addition, Gordon gives an evocative account of a visit to Britain, meetings with King James VII and II in London followed by a reunion with friends and family back home in Aberdeenshire. He also tells us of many contacts with the future Peter the Great before and during the young tsar’s seizure of power from his half-sister the Regent Sophia.

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 and now edited by Dmitry Fedosov. Volume V comprises a wide range of activities on land and sea from 1690 to 1695, many of them involving the young Tsar Peter. Having helped the future Peter the Great to consolidate his hold on the throne, Gordon grew closer to him. On the practice battlefield, the Scottish general played a leading part realistic enough for himself to be shot in the thigh and his son-in-law to be mortally wounded. As Fedosov says, Gordon along with the Tsar proceeded from the pastimes of Mars to those of Neptune in naval exercises on the White Sea. Moving south to actual combat, the Russian forces re-engaged the Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire in further episodes in the long struggle for the fortress of Azov. Volume V, the longest of the six volumes, contains many letters to and from Gordon and a wide range of his observations on political developments throughout Europe.

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 and now edited by Dmitry Fedosov. The sixth and final volume covers the period in which Peter the Great launched his challenge to the traditional Russian system and set Russia on the path to great power status. Gordon played a part in the successful siege and defence of Azov, which firmly established Russian power on the Caspian Sea, and the crushing of the Revolt of the Streltsy, the most dangerous early challenge to Peter’s reforms. Gordon’s diary gives insight into these dramatic events and adds much to our knowledge Peter the Great.