This highly readable and authoritative new study of the 1917 Revolution restores to center stage the experiences of the ordinary men and women of Russia's towns and villages. By examining the revolution in the light of these experiences rather than the activities of central parties and politicians, the book challenges many commonly held assumptions and sheds new light on the realities of living through and participating in such tumultuous events. As well as putting forward a challenging and fresh interpretation of the revolution, this book provides readers with a superb synthesis of recent research, and is unrivalled in its clarity and balance.