George, G.K., (To Kill a Tsar) [pb, [pb, Nap/Scarith, 2010] 978-0984406272 [Set in 1880–1881, this novel follows the eccentric and fiercely independent Inspector Vasiliev of the Moscow Police.
International · Fiction author
G.K. George
G.K. George (1931–2025) – born in Mt. Vernon, NY, pseudonym of the distinguished, U. of Penn. scholar of Russian and Soviet history, Alfred J. Rieber. His books frequently center on the Pogrom Era, exploring the intersection of state-sanctioned violence, revolutionary fervor, and the lived experience of Jewish communities under the Tsars. He used the pseudonym to distinguish his academic writings from his historical fiction. The author is noted for portraying Jewish characters with historical depth and nuance.
The Plot: A tragic explosion destroys the coach of the reformist Count Ushakov, killing his wife. While the secret police (Third Section) are quick to blame typical terrorists, reformers in the government suspect a deeper conspiracy or a cover-up. Vasiliev uncovers a plot involving high-ranking noblemen and top officials within the secret police who intend to assassinate Tsar Alexander II. [Google/AI] Jewish Subtext: The book highlights the presence of Jewish radicals like Gesia Gelfman in the Narodnaya Volya (People’s Will) movement and examines how their involvement was used to fuel state-sponsored anti-Semitism.
George, G.K., (The Kiev Killings [pb, Nap/Scarith, 2011] 978-0983245193 [“In The Kiev Killings, Alfred Rieber intermingles multiple subcultures, from ex-convicts embittered by Siberian exile to Jewish radicals avenging pogrom victims to officials eager only for gain and glory. The city of Kiev in 1881, populated by these types and many more, comes alive in this book with remarkable detail and density. Rieber’s skillful plotting keeps us in suspense as we follow Inspector Vasiliev following leads that take him to unexpected corners of a cultural crossroads tense with upheaval.” -Carol Avins, Associate Professor, Department of Germanic, Russian and East European Languages and Literatures, Rutgers University. - Amazon]
George, G.K., (Siberian Secrets [pb, Nap/Scarith, 2014] 978-0990693901 [This is the final volume of the trilogy, centering on the brutal Siberian exile system of the late 19th century.
The Mission: Inspector Vasiliev and his faithful partner, Sergeant Serov, embark on a dangerous rescue mission to the depths of Siberia.
Themes of Injustice: The story focuses on the “deep-lying injustice” of the tsarist penal system, where political dissidents, including many Jewish revolutionaries and intellectuals, were sent to suffer in isolation.
Jewish Experience: The novel explores themes previously rare in English-language fiction, such as the plight of Jewish political exiles and the complex social structures within the Siberian prison camps.
Resolution: The narrative serves as a “rich resolution” to the overarching themes of the trilogy—authenticity, affection, and steadfastness in the face of an oppressive imperial regime. [Amazon]