@alexdefircks.bsky.social
Family historian, writer and storyteller, https://www.alexdefircks.com/
Pinned
Do you like to support your local businesses? I do. So do you know you can order Upheaval through your local bookshop? Just give them the details below and support your local bookshop.
I've always been curious about the reasons behind decisions my ancestors made and recently, I discovered that Human Design can shine a light on their choices. www.alexdefircks.com/would-you-li...
Would you like to know why your ancestors made certain decisions? Its possible with Human Design - Alex de Fircks
It is now possible to gain these insights through human design.
www.alexdefircks.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:44 AM
I've always been curious about the reasons behind decisions my ancestors made and recently, I discovered that Human Design can shine a light on their choices. www.alexdefircks.com/would-you-li...
Do you like to support your local businesses? I do. So do you know you can order Upheaval through your local bookshop? Just give them the details below and support your local bookshop.
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Do you like to support your local businesses? I do. So do you know you can order Upheaval through your local bookshop? Just give them the details below and support your local bookshop.
Reposted
📘 Want to get your hands on Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution?
You’ve got options!
🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. ISBN: 9781923513013
🌐 Find a retailer: www.downingfield.com/upheaval
📱 Prefer digital? Get e-book version! ISBN: 9781923513037
You’ve got options!
🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. ISBN: 9781923513013
🌐 Find a retailer: www.downingfield.com/upheaval
📱 Prefer digital? Get e-book version! ISBN: 9781923513037
Upheaval
Step into the glittering world of Imperial Russia – and witness its dramatic fall – through the eyes of Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel. ...
www.downingfield.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
📘 Want to get your hands on Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution?
You’ve got options!
🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. ISBN: 9781923513013
🌐 Find a retailer: www.downingfield.com/upheaval
📱 Prefer digital? Get e-book version! ISBN: 9781923513037
You’ve got options!
🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. ISBN: 9781923513013
🌐 Find a retailer: www.downingfield.com/upheaval
📱 Prefer digital? Get e-book version! ISBN: 9781923513037
This article really hits the mark. Without my grandmother's notes, diary and correspondence it would have been difficult to produce the 2nd edition of Upheaval, her memoir about life in Russia before and during the Revolution and Civil War. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Literary detective work is thrilling, but biographers face challenge in age of AI
How will the work of biographers change as letters, diaries and photographs are replaced by emails, texts and snapshots on the cloud?
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 1:02 AM
This article really hits the mark. Without my grandmother's notes, diary and correspondence it would have been difficult to produce the 2nd edition of Upheaval, her memoir about life in Russia before and during the Revolution and Civil War. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted
Interested in Russian history? Don't miss out – the second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’ is the #1 best selling Imperial Russian history title at the moment!
BUY NOW: downingfield.com/upheaval
BUY NOW: downingfield.com/upheaval
November 1, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Interested in Russian history? Don't miss out – the second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’ is the #1 best selling Imperial Russian history title at the moment!
BUY NOW: downingfield.com/upheaval
BUY NOW: downingfield.com/upheaval
My books have arrived! So exciting to see the 2nd edition of Upheaval in print! If you're excited too, or would like to purchase the book, visit my website www.alexdefircks.com or check out @downingfield.bsky.social #books #memoir
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
My books have arrived! So exciting to see the 2nd edition of Upheaval in print! If you're excited too, or would like to purchase the book, visit my website www.alexdefircks.com or check out @downingfield.bsky.social #books #memoir
Reposted
NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
October 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
We had a fabulous time at the launch for the 2nd edition of Upheaval. If you couldn't join us, here is the link for the recording: youtu.be/t6uPdD76u9o
October 17, 2025 at 5:33 AM
We had a fabulous time at the launch for the 2nd edition of Upheaval. If you couldn't join us, here is the link for the recording: youtu.be/t6uPdD76u9o
Publication day!!!
NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs
October 13, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Publication day!!!
Today's blog post reflects on my grandmother's memoir Upheaval, and looks to the launch of the 2nd edition this coming Wednesday. Links to the launch are in the post and everyone is welcome to join! www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...
Olga Woronoff dedicated Upheaval to her daughter, I’m dedicating the 2nd edition to my sons - Alex de Fircks
First published in 1932, my grandmother dedicated her memoir, Upheaval to her daughter and only child, Tatiana, who was also my mother.
www.alexdefircks.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Today's blog post reflects on my grandmother's memoir Upheaval, and looks to the launch of the 2nd edition this coming Wednesday. Links to the launch are in the post and everyone is welcome to join! www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...
I'm looking forward to this and seeing you there!
COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
October 9, 2025 at 6:06 AM
I'm looking forward to this and seeing you there!
Happening next week! I hope to see you there!
7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featuring a live Q+A panel discussion between Olga Woronoff's granddaughter Alex de Fircks and Romanov historian Helen Azar.
JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
October 6, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Happening next week! I hope to see you there!
I hope you can join us!
7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featuring a live Q+A panel discussion between Olga Woronoff's granddaughter Alex de Fircks and Romanov historian Helen Azar.
JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
October 1, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I hope you can join us!
Reposted
COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
September 27, 2025 at 1:33 AM
COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.
Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval
#Romanovs #History
Booth Tarkington, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, wrote the Introduction to the original edition of Upheaval. He praised the manuscript in this letter, written by the mother of Tarkington's secretary to my grandmother. www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...
Olga Woronoff, Upheaval and the Booth Tarkington connection - Alex de Fircks
Booth Tarkington, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, in 1919 and 1922, wrote the Introduction to the original edition of my grandmother’s memoir,
www.alexdefircks.com
September 14, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Booth Tarkington, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, wrote the Introduction to the original edition of Upheaval. He praised the manuscript in this letter, written by the mother of Tarkington's secretary to my grandmother. www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...
Reposted
📖 COMING SOON from Downingfield Press 📖
UPHEAVAL is Countess Olga Kleinmichel’s gripping memoir of privilege, loss, and survival through a vanished world.
🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval
#Memoir #RussianHistory #HistoricalMemoir #Bookstagram #Publishing
UPHEAVAL is Countess Olga Kleinmichel’s gripping memoir of privilege, loss, and survival through a vanished world.
🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval
#Memoir #RussianHistory #HistoricalMemoir #Bookstagram #Publishing
September 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
📖 COMING SOON from Downingfield Press 📖
UPHEAVAL is Countess Olga Kleinmichel’s gripping memoir of privilege, loss, and survival through a vanished world.
🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval
#Memoir #RussianHistory #HistoricalMemoir #Bookstagram #Publishing
UPHEAVAL is Countess Olga Kleinmichel’s gripping memoir of privilege, loss, and survival through a vanished world.
🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval
#Memoir #RussianHistory #HistoricalMemoir #Bookstagram #Publishing
Look what arrived in the post! The proof copy of the 2nd edition of Upheaval. I love the cover. So exciting! Now to check for mistakes...
September 2, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Look what arrived in the post! The proof copy of the 2nd edition of Upheaval. I love the cover. So exciting! Now to check for mistakes...
This week's blog post was prompted by renovations to my apartment, which made me wonder how my maternal grandparents would have made homes out of all the places they lived. www.alexdefircks.com/how-did-they...
How did they manage to make a home each time they moved? - Alex de Fircks
In the midst of renovating my new home, I have been neglecting my blog posts. I simply haven’t been able to keep an eye on everything changing around me,
www.alexdefircks.com
August 31, 2025 at 2:24 AM
This week's blog post was prompted by renovations to my apartment, which made me wonder how my maternal grandparents would have made homes out of all the places they lived. www.alexdefircks.com/how-did-they...
Here is a sneak peek at some of the #familyphotos which might be included in the updated 2nd edition of my grandmother's #memoir. If only I could identify the man next to my grandfather!
The photos were taken in June 1919 when my grandparents took a cruise down the Kuban River.
The photos were taken in June 1919 when my grandparents took a cruise down the Kuban River.
June 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Here is a sneak peek at some of the #familyphotos which might be included in the updated 2nd edition of my grandmother's #memoir. If only I could identify the man next to my grandfather!
The photos were taken in June 1919 when my grandparents took a cruise down the Kuban River.
The photos were taken in June 1919 when my grandparents took a cruise down the Kuban River.
Starting to plan the sequel to Upheaval, luckily I just discovered Microsoft has a Whiteboard!
June 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Starting to plan the sequel to Upheaval, luckily I just discovered Microsoft has a Whiteboard!
It's winter here in Melbourne, which, for me, means curling up with a book and some hot chocolate www.alexdefircks.com/the-grand-du...
The Grand Duchess wrote about my grandparents in her diary - Alex de Fircks
I’m always interested in reading about my grandparents and my latest purchase doesn’t disappoint. George Hawkins, who has translated the diaries and letters
www.alexdefircks.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:05 AM
It's winter here in Melbourne, which, for me, means curling up with a book and some hot chocolate www.alexdefircks.com/the-grand-du...
I'm very excited that the 2nd ed of Upheaval, which I have been working on for so many years, is now on my publisher's website @downingfield.bsky.social Further information to follow... downingfield.com/book/upheava...
Upheaval
Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel was born into an aristocratic Russian family with close ties to the monarchy. Her grandfather had been a clos...
downingfield.com
May 16, 2025 at 5:25 AM
I'm very excited that the 2nd ed of Upheaval, which I have been working on for so many years, is now on my publisher's website @downingfield.bsky.social Further information to follow... downingfield.com/book/upheava...
Very exciting news from my publisher!
📢 Exciting news! Downingfield Press is now an associate member of the Australian Publishers Association! Joining APA gives us access to industry insights, networking opportunities, advocacy support, and resources to strengthen our publishing efforts.
#Publishing #Books
#Publishing #Books
May 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Very exciting news from my publisher!
Istanbul Day 2 and, thanks to the incredible research by @goreme1990.bsky.social I walked the same streets as my grandparents, in what was Constantinople. From the Hotel Tokatlion, to the Grand Bazaar, I followed their footsteps.
April 2, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Istanbul Day 2 and, thanks to the incredible research by @goreme1990.bsky.social I walked the same streets as my grandparents, in what was Constantinople. From the Hotel Tokatlion, to the Grand Bazaar, I followed their footsteps.
Yesterday, I flew to Singapore on my way to Istanbul, the first stop in my journey to follow in the footsteps of my grandparents. The clouds on the flight were amazing!
March 31, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Yesterday, I flew to Singapore on my way to Istanbul, the first stop in my journey to follow in the footsteps of my grandparents. The clouds on the flight were amazing!