Russia Books

This book begins with the story of Donovan Grant, psychopathic killer and traitor, who defects to the Soviets. They, unlike other forces, welcome and use these types. The beginning chapters are filled with accurate background. You wonder how a newspaperman like Fleming acquired this knowledge. In Chapter 5 the Soviet High Command has decided to reach out and touch one of their enemies. Various targets are discussed until they decide on James Bond as the object of scandal and death. Destroying a hero will damage the morale of this Service. Bond must be lured to a foreign country where he will be killed and disgraced; the planners devise a scheme that meets their needs. The book shows Fleming's knowledge of Russian, learned before he reported on a Moscow spy trial in 1932.

James Bond is between assignments, tending to administrative matters. The Director calls him and tells of a situation in Station T concerning a Soviet code clerk and a cipher machine. Bond will accept this gambit, but wonders if it is a trap. Kerim shows Bond the sights of Istanbul. They visit a gypsy band and observe their primitive justice. Chapter 18 has plenty of action! The attackers were told to spare Bond. Who can tell why? When Bond returns to his room he finds Tanya; she tells how she will bring the cipher machine to their compartment on the Orient Express. The next day they meet for their return to England. On the train Bond suspects there is some sort of plot connected to their travel by train. But he ignores this suspicion. When Bond find Darko Kerim dead in his train compartment he realizes something is happening. But all seems well when the train reaches Italy.

Bond seems to recognize a man sent by M. Captain Nash gives the proper password and countersign. But there is something about him that doesn't ring true. Woken from sleep, Bond faces a new threat in the sleeping car. It seems almost hopeless, but Bond improvises a shield against danger. Nash's own weapon is used against him. Bond wins again, the girl and the cipher machine, and important information about Paris. Rosa Klebb is captured, her career is over. But she kicks one last time and Bond has a problem.

This story shows how Fleming has improved his writing since "Casino Royale". The popular 1965 film developed more action by not strictly following the book. I think it was better that way.

Fleming does a great job introducing us to all of the characters in this novel. Like the movie this novel allows us to see Bond as a secret agent, not a superman saving the world. A must read for all Bond Movie fans.

Colleen Coble never fails to produce wonderful stories with real life characters, tense situations and lots of faith. The theme of this one is learning to trust God with things that as a non-Christian you tried to handle alone, and realizing how very much God loves each one of us. Tatiana comes to America from a poverty-stricken life in Russia, bringing her adorable little Irina to a better life, and willingly doing whatever she feels she must to protect Irina, ignoring the fact that a loving God is just waiting to take over her burdens. The Christians in Colleen's books make enough mistakes to keep them from being "plastic", and there is a lot of life evangelism going on. Another great offering from this wonderful author!

Colleen Coble is a wonderful author and her stories come to life. I loved this book. I found myself wishing that I lived in the same town and place as Tatiana and Gabe. I loved the ending of this book and I cant wait to read another book by this author.

Dance becomes a language and language becomes a dance in Kat Corbett's exciting sequel to First-String Future. Tori tests her own wings, first as she helps heal a family's pain by becoming their lost daughter, Heather, in a brilliant dance she helps choreograph, and later by flying to Russia to visit her pen-pal, a dance student at the school of the world-famous Maryinsky Theatre Ballet. Here, the streets of St. Petersburg come alive as Tori falls in love with her new "family." Granny tells a heart-wrenching story of how she was separated from her family as a child in World War II, and Tori takes to heart the Russian adage that bread stands for all the things you need and salt for all the things to make life happy. Tori's love of animals shines alongside her love of dance, and by standing up for her convictions, she inspires others to do the same. Then, on a day of miracles, she transforms herself from a "frog princess" into a "swan princess."

What a beautiful and touching story!! This book helped me understand and appreciate how different school, ballet training, and life in general is for a teenager in Russia compared to what it is like for me here in the United States.

This is the first book from the eurohistory publishing company that I've purchased, and I have to say I was impressed. The Gilded Prism chronicles the lives of Konstantin Nikolaievich and his descendants through the last century of Romanov rule. The book starts with Konstantin Nikolaievich the family's patriarch who was the brother of Alexander II. He played a huge part in the reforms of his brother's reign and was a talented musician although his later years were frought with tragedy. Next is his wife Alexandra Iosifovna who came from Germany a young and somewhat frivolous princess to become a highly respected and imperious Grand Duchess although very conceited and self absorbed. The book then follows the lives of their children. The oldest, Nicholas, brought scandal and embarrassment to the family while the two daughters Olga and Vera became popular and beloved women in their adopted homelands. Konstantin Konstantinovich proved one of the most dutiful and charitable members of the Romanovs, but also led a secret homosexual life. Dimitri was just as dutiful as his brother and was a talened military commander and horse breeder. The youngest, Vyacheslav, who is often times forgotten because he died young, was said to be intelligent and doted on by his father. The book also chronicles the descendants of Nicholas and Konstantin Konstantinovich who led equally interesting lives themselves. I give the book five stars because it gives much detail and information on this branch of the Roamnov family. The Konstantinovichi were an artistically talented, highly intelligent, dutiful, and charitable family at a time when most Romanovs were known for being callously decadent and lacking in intelligence as well as concern for the common people. It is refreshing to read a novel that isn't completely devoted to the overdone subject of Nicholas II and Alexandra. The one sore point I found with this book is that there isn't as much info on Olga and Vera like there was on their brothers, but the title does say The Konstantinovichi Grand Dukes & the Last Years of the Romanov Dyansty and not the Grand Duchesses so I guess it's to be expected. The most interesting part of the book was the story of how Nicholas and his American mistress Fanny Lear (just one of her names I might add), got embroiled in a scandal that led to his exile and being nearly forgotten by the rest of the family. The book also analyzes the nature of Konstantin Konstantinovich's homosexuality. It also contains three sections of photos, many I've never seen before, several family trees, and even features some of Konstantin Konstantinovich's poems, which are full of emotional and artistic depth. The book is relatively short but the wealth of information and photos proves the age old saying it's quality over quantity. I was thoroughly impressed and will definitely purchase more books from eurohistory in the future.

This is an excellent book. Once again Greg King and Penny Wilson have done an outstanding job. There are many wonderful photos as well as information on the family of Grand Duke Konstantine Konstantinovich and his nine tragic children. Bring on Guilded Prism II. Thank you for a great book.

Ruth Sanderson is the author and illustrator of this beautiful book. She is a wonderful painter and her talent really shows in this book. The story Ms. Sanderson has retold is actually taken from a few Russian fairy tales. It is a delightful read and young children will be glued to the pictures and the story. I brought Ms. Sanderson to my children's school for an author visit and she shared with the kids the process of how she illustrates her books. There is so much work behind her books, or any book for that matter, and it gave everyone a greater appreciation of the time and talent involved.
A. D. Tarbox, author of ALREADY ASLEEP (Oct. 2006)

This work in a combination of old Russian tales retold by the author. They will be quite familiar to readers of such. They are certainly no worse for the wear in this retelling though as the author has done a wonderful job. The tales are the typical quest type, my favoriet genre. The real magic of this book though are the wonderful illustrations. The detail is almost magical and the colors are absolutely dazzling. I could pontificate somewhat in comparing comparing her work with other authors, but this is an absolute silly excercise as each artist should be judge on their own works and not those of others. I liked this work. The kids I read it to like it. It is informative, fun and a delight to see. What more could you want?

i recieve this book as a gift ,give to another friend who loves anything about Romanov's.you get information about grandduchesses who were not well know.the storys will have you to the point you can't put this book down.

Obviously the contributors are knowledgeable individuals chosen to work in areas of their expetise. A book on this subject was long over due. I think other readers will be amazed at the high quality of writing and researched details that went into this book. A repetoire of little known facts about the lives of most of these Grand Duchesses (20 or so) that have never been published elsewhere before. The readers will be enthalled by the stories and left wanting for more. I recommend it highly and for me it will prove a good book for references.

Most of the stories in this collection are great, but one of them is astonishing. Victor Pelevin's 'Moscow Dynamo' is mind -blowing. Don't even consider not reading this story! The inclusion of this special piece turns what would otherwise be a merely excellent collection, into a classic.

Once again, Granta draws my interest to something I'd never thought about before. The Viktor Pelevin short story, "Moscow Dynamo", is worth the cover price on this (inevitably) fine issue.

This excellent exposition of FDR's relations with the Soviet Union makes us think... of the obvious. We think of Saddam defying the civilized world, we think of North Vietnam using the Kissinger treaty to overrun the south, we think of Anna Nicole with a case of Nesquick--Franklin would certainly try to charm Stalin and he would lose. That America tried to shmooz the communists instead of confront them certanly prolonged the cold war. If Frankin had not thought he could grin the reds into an decent deal, millions would have been free sooner. Crocker gives us Roosevelt's idiotic attempt at such idiocy a full hearing, and finds him a jackass.

This book demonstrates to anyone not snookered by the FDR myth that: Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the most traitorous President America has ever had. He was completely negligent in the manner in which he conducted the War. And the monumentally tragic decisions he made with respect to post-War Europe and Asia are simply unforgivable.

As a pure politician, Roosevelt was out of his league in dealing with Stalin, notwithstanding his assertion to Winston Churchill that:

"I know you will not mind my being brutally frank when I tell you that I think I can personally handle Stalin better than either your Foreign Office or my State Department."

Someone should have questioned the man's competence when he uttered the words:

"I have just a hunch that Stalin doesn't want anything but security for his country, and I think that if I give him everything I possibly can and ask nothing from him in return, noblesse oblige, he won't try to annex anything and will work for a world democracy and peace."

Stalin had already annexed half of Poland and all of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia when Roosevelt made that remark!

With the partitioning (and millions of lives) of Eastern Europe at stake, this man was acting on a "hunch?" Anyone who knew anything about Communism would have known that FDR's hope of appeasing Stalin was wishful thinking. Of course, none of his "learned" advisors (Harry Hopkins, Alger Hiss, etc.) said anything because it would turn out that they were Communist sympathizers.

But that doesn't excuse Roosevelt who should have been informed on who and what he was dealing with. After all, there were ample voices outside of government telling the administration that it was playing with fire by cuddling up with Uncle Joe Stalin. But Roosevelt just turned these voices off by labeling them "Nazi" or "pro-fascist."

The Bolshevik Revolutionary himself (Lenin) had said years before:

"We are living not merely in a state, but in a system of states; and it is inconceivable that the Soviet republic should continue to exist for a long period side by side with imperialist states [e.g. America, Britain]. Ultimately one or the other must conquer. Meanwhile a number of terrible clashes between the Soviet republic and the bourgeois states are inevitable."

Exactly what part of this did Roosevelt not understand?

Additionally, assessments from one of FDR's military advisors stated:

"Russia's post-war position in Europe will be a dominant one. With Germany crushed, there is no power in Europe to oppose her tremendous military forces. It is true that Great Britain is building up a position in the Mediterranean vis-à-vis Russia that she may find useful in balancing power in Europe. However, even here she may not be able to oppose Russia unless she is otherwise supported."

That FDR was mesmerized by Uncle Joe and wanted to keep him happy is beside the point. As the most powerful man in the world with the greatest military force behind him, why did Roosevelt ignore the Communist threat? Why was he giving Stalin so much with so few conditions?

In fact, Roosevelt seemed to go out of his way to assist Stalin, giving him things without a request from the Soviet dictator and even in his absence! Roosevelt apparently thought he was exercising wise foreign policy when he stated:

"Of course, it's just the thing for the Russians. They couldn't want anything better. Unconditional surrender [of Germany and Japan]. Uncle Joe might have made it up himself!"

And in stating the following, it wasn't the first time that FDR would make Churchill part of his act in cozying up with Uncle Joe:

"Trouble is, the Prime Minister is thinking too much of the post-war, and where England will be. He's scared of letting the Russians get too strong."

That Roosevelt was good at schmoozing with other politicians is beyond doubt. However, in making the above statement, he showed his utter incompetence in dealing with Russia effectively and realistically. If FDR had understood the Russian threat even half as well as Churchill did, the ensuing enslavement of Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain would have been averted.

As a learned man of history, Churchill understood the threat of a Russia occupying Eastern Europe. Consequently, he had been promoting a plan for an allied invasion through the Balkans in order to occupy Eastern Europe. At the time Churchill made his proposal, Germany was still on Russian soil. An attack up through the Balkans would have enabled American, English and French forces to occupy Eastern Europe before Russia:

"The paramount task before us is, first, to conquer the African shores of the Mediterranean and set up the naval and air installations which are necessary to open an effective passage through it for military traffic; and, secondly, using the bases on the African shore to strike at the under-belly of the Axis [Balkans] in effective strength and in the shortest time."

However, it was not to be. Stalin didn't like the plan. Consequently, Roosevelt did not like the plan. As America's General Clark would later comment:

"A campaign that might have changed the whole history of relations between the Western world and the Soviet Union was permitted to fade away ... Not alone in my opinion, but in the opinion of a number of experts who were close to the problem, the weakening of the campaign in Italy in order to invade Southern France, instead of pushing into the Balkans, was one of the outstanding mistakes of the War ... Stalin knew exactly what he wanted ... and the thing he wanted was to keep us out of the Balkans ... It is easy to see, therefore, why Stalin favored ANVIL [Normandy Invasion]."

May Truth be redeemed and this man (FDR) dethroned from his mythic throne in the annals of history.

Fantastic insight into the great private collections of Imperial Russia.
Beautifully illustrated with photos of the collection's.

I am surprised that Russian nobility possesses great art collection that worth millions of dollars in today's money. Great works by Picasso, Poussin, Monet, Gainsborough, Renoir, Gaugin and other impressionists took pride in the private galleries of russian noble families.

This book will amaze you of the artistic side and wealth of russian nobility.

My only concern is that the pictures are mostly of black and white. Too wordy and contains few interesting information about the paintings and artists.

Still, I gave 5 stars for the effort of coming up with this extraordinary book.

My father actually has copies of the original book. One to keep and an extra to loan, only to trusted friends and family. We searched the world over for those two copies years ago. The book is an incredible read and study of communist Russia when no Americans could know the truth about how the people survived in that country. An entire college course could be taught with this book as the centerpiece. I almost flipped when just a random search showed this had been reprinted in 2007. Just this morning I was talking about it with a college student who is taking a Russian history class this semester. My dad was going to loan him a copy but now he can have his own and I know he will love it.
If you love history you will love this book.

I actually read the first virsion of this book, written in the 40's. I had to get it on loan from a collage library, because it was out of print. Oh, how I wanted a copy of this book. Ski York (one of the Guests of the Kremlin) was my mother's cousin. I tried to get an old copy of the book, and I actually saw a copy for $900.00. We are all lucky now, to be able to get a copy for approx. $25.00. The book will interest you so much, that you won't want to put it down. If you want to know what it was really like in Russia - in those days - the book has it all. It also has some good laughs in it. Of course, there is lots of action in the book as well. The nice thing is that the action really happened. I especially enjoyed it because I saw my Grandfather in Ski York. (name was changed from Cichowski) My Grandfather was Ski's - Father's brother.