This revelatory account unveils how Stalin became Stalin; examining his shadowy journey from obscurity to power—from master historian Simon Sebag Montefiore. Based on ten years of research; Young Stalin—companion to the prizewinning Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar—is a brilliant prehistory of the USSR; a chronicle of the Revolution; and an intimate biography. Montefiore tells the story of a charismatic; darkly turbulent boy born into poverty; scarred by his upbringing but possessed of unusual talents. Admired as a romantic poet and trained as a priest; he found his true mission as a murderous revolutionary. Here is the dramatic story of his friendships and hatreds; his many love affairs; his complicated relationship with the Tsarist secret police; and how he became the merciless politician who shaped the Soviet Empire in his own brutal image. Described by The New York Times as "a meticulously researched; autoritative biography;" Young Stalin is essential reading for anyone interested in Russian history.Winner of the Costa Book Award for BiographyA Christian Science Monitor and Seattle Times Best Book of the Year
#29856 in Books Gioconda Belli 2003-10-14 2003-10-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .80 x 5.10l; .80 #File Name: 1400032164400 pagesThe Country under My Skin A Memoir of Love and War
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating ReadBy AnneThe title of this book is misleading: For one; it doesn't mention the fact that it's about Nicaragua; which is a central point. Yet I did like this book very much. It probably helped that I read it while visiting Nicaragua. It helped me understand the country and gave me a flavor for recent history. The writing is fluid and carries you from page to page as you wonder what will happen next in Belli's fascinating life.Some might say that she's preoccupied with herself and her cause; but I found her explanations of why she became as involved as she did to be compelling. I also loved her take on how her gender influenced her involvement in the war; and how she paved new paths as a woman with power and revolutionary tendencies.The name dropping is fun; her descriptions lovely; and the story a good read. I'd recommend the book to anyone who is interested in this period of history; as well as to those who want to learn more about the Sandinistas; Nicaragua's recent past; and the balance of power in this revolution that made the front pages of many world newspapers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Memoir That Reads Like A Novel! Outstanding!By Sherrie MirandaI thought I had long ago written a review for this great memoir. After all I used Belli's understanding of the struggle for a character in my novel.I apologize for not posting this sooner; especially since I read it in just a few days as it was full os suspense and steadily brought the reader to the understanding of a Revolutionary woman who was soon made to feel her services weren't needed anymore once the Revolution had happened. Perhaps that explains why the changes didn't last?Belli's story is one of great courage; fortitude and understanding. Belli; obviously loved her people very much; since she was one the the few who could have escaped but didn't.Belli is talented; not only as a poet; but also as a storyteller. I sincerely hope we get some more prose from this amazing woman and writer.Thank you for writing such a beautiful and eye-opening book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Bravo Ms. Belli! Thank you for sharing your life with us!By Kytka JezekThis has to be one of the top ten books I have read. I am absolutely in love with Giaconda Belli's style of writing and reading this story made me experience a plethora of feelings from excitement and adventure to passion and heartbreak. She opens the book of her life for us and takes us from her childhood as a wealthy debutante in Nicaragua to rebel revolutionary. Her story is absolutely amazing and she tells it as an ideologist; rebel; revolutionary; wife; mother; lover; daughter; woman... It is the voice of a woman torn with doing what is right for her and her family; to what is right for her country to what her heart guides her to do. She's lived a life filled with passion and her prose is expressed with pure heart. A beautiful book...
