Two Ordinary Americans. Fifty Innocent Lives. One Unforgettable Journey.In early 1939; few Americans were thinking about the darkening storm clouds over Europe. Nor did they have much sympathy for the growing number of Jewish families who were increasingly threatened and brutalized by Adolf Hitler's policies in Germany and Austria.But one ordinary American couple decided that something had to be done. Despite overwhelming obstacles—both in Europe and in the United States—Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus made a bold and unprecedented decision to travel into Nazi Germany in an effort to save a group of Jewish children. This is their story.
#240655 in Books Sullivan Rosemary 2016-06-21 2016-06-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.25 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0062206125624 pagesStalin s Daughter The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva
Review
109 of 113 people found the following review helpful. A Riveting Account of the Tumultuous and Strange Life of Stalin's Daughter by a Gifted WriterBy James McGrath MorrisIn trivial pursuits years ago I would have been the only one in the group to have recognized the name Svetlana Alliluyeva. For some reason I have always been fascinated by the fact that the only daughter of Russian dictator Joseph Stalin lived--in all places of the world--the United States! But I had to wait until now to the learn the riveting tale behind this unusual fact. The wait had been worth it.Rosemary Sullivan; a gifted writer and scholar; has produced a fascinating account of Alliluyeva's improbable journey from inside the walls of the Kremlin to the United States. As much as I had hoped it would be a happy story; I was chagrined to learn it was anything but. Nonetheless reading this book is a pleasure. No only does author Sullivan provide a sympathetic and riveting account of Alliluyeva's life but reading the book is like entering a time portal back to the incredible days of the Cold War. I'm amazed we survived the era and now I understand that among Stalin's victims was his own daughter.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The sad life of Stalin's only daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva is brilliantly chronicled by Canadian author Rosemary SullivanBy C. M MillsJosef Stalin was a monster in human form. Stalin led the Soviet Union from the death of Lenin in 1924 until his own death in 1953. During those dark years he murdered millions of his nation's citizens. relocated millions of others and led his nation to triumph against the Nazis. During World War II the Soviets lost over twenty million people. Stalin was twice married. His first wife produced one son and died early of disease. His second wife Nadya gave birth to a son Yakov who was died in a Nazi POW camp and Svetlana who was born in 1926. Svetlana was a favorite of her father who was sometimes loving towards her but could also be as cold as an ice cube to his family. Her mother Nadya committed suicide burdened by the cruelty of Stalin and her lonely and difficult life. Svetlana was a smart young woman who studied Russian Literature at the University of Moscow. Her father did not approve of her friends. At the height of the Cold War she defected to the West living in England and the United States. She left behind two children in Russia who spent most of their lives denouncing their mother for her defection from Soviet society.. In America Svetlana became involved with Taliesin the community established by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. She wed Wesley Peters a member of this group but the marriage failed. She was married four times. Svetlana died in America in 2011 an impoverished and bitter woman. She too was one of Stalin's victims. Rosemary Sullivan has told Svetlana's odyssey with insight and wisdom. The book is well illustrated with family photos. This book has cinematic sweep and is a fine biography recommended by this reviewer.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic bookBy moomooFirstly; this book taught me the history of the Bolshevik Revolution of which I knew very little. It is written like a wonderful novel; not like a history book. Never boring. It left me so sad that a human being like Svetlana; never really feeling accepted in any of the countries where she lived; always suffered from the psychological trauma of her father's tyranny .People were always popping up to destroy whatever anonymity she wanted. She was however; because of bad decisions; always in the public sphere. Her constant moves; changes of citizenship; kept her in the news.She had a very complicated psyche which ultimately destroyed her despite the people who did try to help her. She always needed someone to love but there were always complications because of this neediness .She was an amazing lady! Many people who got to know her; realized how special she was in spite of her complexities.I highly recommend this book. Having read so many books of fiction; it has made me want to read more biographies.
