James Fleming, White Blood

White Blood

James Fleming

Atria, January 2007, $25.00

ISBN: 0743299388

Naturalist Charlie Doig loves traveling the globe, seeking new discoveries that support Darwin's theories, almost as much as he enjoys discovering new women; however, Charlie also appreciates his respites at his family "Pink House" near Smolensk, Russia. In 1914, the Academy of Sciences sends him to Turkistan, but the war breaks out throughout Europe, leaving him without funds, and at least for the moment ending his latest pursuit to prove Darwinism is the only religion.

His travels have delayed his plans to one day wed his beloved Cousin Elizaveta, but by 1917, he brings her into his home as his wife, after her fianc was assassinated. As civil war breaks out against Tsarist Russia, many come to the Pink House for refuge. When Bolshevik Prokhor Glebov arrives, Charlie recognizes the cunning ruthlessness of the Marxists; he believes they will prove in the short run victorious, as the barbarians always take the early triumphs because they understand survival of the fittest means innocent people must die. He also understands social Darwinism, that in the long run civilization will return to defeat the barbarian Bolsheviks because they will prove to be the truly fittest, but Charlie doubts he will be there to see it.

This is a superb historical thriller, that uses Social Darwin theories to provide a powerful look at the survival of the fittest in Russia, which proves by 1917 to be the Bolsheviks, as only the ruthlessly strong survive. The storyline is action-packed, whether Charlie is having adventures in the Far East seeks exotic species, or at his Pink House where the prime three groups that make up the Russia struggle to rule converge. Genre readers will appreciate the contrasts between the competitors, as each believes they will triumph in a brave new world.