“The Red Reign” by Kellogg Durland is a biographical piece of literature that recounts the author's year in Russia during the early 1900s. Taking place less than a decade before the Russian Revolution of 1917 that saw the Tsar removed from power, Durland shows the beginning stages of the civil unrest that lead to the country's transition from monarchy to the Provisional Government and, finally, the Russian Republic. This book gives a unique look at what life was like for common citizens in early 20th century Russia. In fact, this first-hand experience shows that the revolution that followed was, in fact, far from surprising.