Norman E. Saul is professor emeritus of modern Russian history at the University of Kansas.

Norman E. Saul’s thoroughly documented book attempts to bring together the dispersed strands of this restless man’s life and passions. This is by no means an easy undertaking...As one reads Saul’s account, it is impossible not to be impressed by the sheer number of Crane’s journeys as well as the variety of their itineraries....Saul undertook a daunting task, [with] his editorial decision to tread lightly and give Crane the benefit of the doubt allows him to present a largely empathetic portrayal that will ultimately be appreciated by those who want to see Crane in his complexity. Saul’s book brings us several steps closer to understanding Crane and in the process offers a new perspective on the operations of early twentieth-century diplomacy and the origins of Russian Studies in the United States.

• List of IllustrationsPreface and AcknowledgmentsTechnical notesGlossary of Abbreviations in NotesChapter I A Chicago Wanderer: Family, Friends, and AssociatesChapter II The Making of a RussophileChapter III Entering the Political ArenaChapter IV Confronting a World in TurmoilChapter V The President’s AgentChapter VI New VenturesChapter VII LegacyAppendix PhilanthropyBibliography

Norman E. Saul is professor emeritus of modern Russian history at the University of Kansas.

Norman E. Saul’s thoroughly documented book attempts to bring together the dispersed strands of this restless man’s life and passions. This is by no means an easy undertaking...As one reads Saul’s account, it is impossible not to be impressed by the sheer number of Crane’s journeys as well as the variety of their itineraries....Saul undertook a daunting task, [with] his editorial decision to tread lightly and give Crane the benefit of the doubt allows him to present a largely empathetic portrayal that will ultimately be appreciated by those who want to see Crane in his complexity. Saul’s book brings us several steps closer to understanding Crane and in the process offers a new perspective on the operations of early twentieth-century diplomacy and the origins of Russian Studies in the United States.

• List of IllustrationsPreface and AcknowledgmentsTechnical notesGlossary of Abbreviations in NotesChapter I A Chicago Wanderer: Family, Friends, and AssociatesChapter II The Making of a RussophileChapter III Entering the Political ArenaChapter IV Confronting a World in TurmoilChapter V The President’s AgentChapter VI New VenturesChapter VII LegacyAppendix PhilanthropyBibliography

Norman E. Saul is professor emeritus of modern Russian history at the University of Kansas.

Norman E. Saul’s thoroughly documented book attempts to bring together the dispersed strands of this restless man’s life and passions. This is by no means an easy undertaking...As one reads Saul’s account, it is impossible not to be impressed by the sheer number of Crane’s journeys as well as the variety of their itineraries....Saul undertook a daunting task, [with] his editorial decision to tread lightly and give Crane the benefit of the doubt allows him to present a largely empathetic portrayal that will ultimately be appreciated by those who want to see Crane in his complexity. Saul’s book brings us several steps closer to understanding Crane and in the process offers a new perspective on the operations of early twentieth-century diplomacy and the origins of Russian Studies in the United States.

• List of IllustrationsPreface and AcknowledgmentsTechnical notesGlossary of Abbreviations in NotesChapter I A Chicago Wanderer: Family, Friends, and AssociatesChapter II The Making of a RussophileChapter III Entering the Political ArenaChapter IV Confronting a World in TurmoilChapter V The President’s AgentChapter VI New VenturesChapter VII LegacyAppendix PhilanthropyBibliography