Winner of the Plutarch Award for Best BiographyNational Book Critics Circle Award FinalistPEN Literary Award FinalistNew York Times Notable BookWashington Post Notable BookBoston Globe Best Book of the YearThe award-winning author of Villa Air-Bel returns with a painstakingly researched; revelatory biography of Svetlana Stalin; a woman fated to live her life in the shadow of one of history’s most monstrous dictators—her father; Josef Stalin.Born in the early years of the Soviet Union; Svetlana Stalin spent her youth inside the walls of the Kremlin. Communist Party privilege protected her from the mass starvation and purges that haunted Russia; but she did not escape tragedy—the loss of everyone she loved; including her mother; two brothers; aunts and uncles; and a lover twice her age; deliberately exiled to Siberia by her father.As she gradually learned about the extent of her father’s brutality after his death; Svetlana could no longer keep quiet and in 1967 shocked the world by defecting to the United States—leaving her two children behind. But although she was never a part of her father’s regime; she could not escape his legacy. Her life in America was fractured; she moved frequently; married disastrously; shunned other Russian exiles; and ultimately died in poverty in Wisconsin.With access to KGB; CIA; and Soviet government archives; as well as the close cooperation of Svetlana’s daughter; Rosemary Sullivan pieces together Svetlana’s incredible life in a masterful account of unprecedented intimacy. Epic in scope; it’s a revolutionary biography of a woman doomed to be a political prisoner of her father’s name. Sullivan explores a complicated character in her broader context without ever losing sight of her powerfully human story; in the process opening a closed; brutal world that continues to fascinate us.Illustrated with photographs.
#313643 in Books William Morrow Paperbacks 2013-01-02 2013-01-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 10.00l; 2.00 #File Name: 0062113968268 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Much Needed and Glorious Informative Synopsis/Timeline of Women in the United StatesBy b. schrinerI bought this book for every woman in my family; regardless of age; and continue to buy it for others. What a glorious informative synopsis; with images for each woman included in the Timeline! It is a beautiful and informative introduction to so many accomplishments by women in the United States; and heaven knows we can use the publicity. Lack of a good self-image and self-confidence plague women in this country; This book is a testament to the courage; intelligence; and power of women throughout history. It is a book you can glance through and get a fact about a woman you never knew and it just may lead you to do some further research into the life of a fascinating and world-changing woman. The timeline format and wonderful images are priceless. Thank you to the authors for putting together this wonderful Timeline for all of humankind to read. Bonnie Schriner0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Herstory briefsBy MjeanpThis is a superior resource book for people of any age to begin to look at women's contributions to United States history. Nine hundred women are listed on a timeline with a picture of a woman or an artifact that represents the woman or event. It is a beautiful book. The authors have thoughtfully provided both an alphabetical index and an index by profession. An excellent book for a gift for girls and boys and any adult who has an interest in history. There is a very nice f oreword by Madeleine Albright. It is well worth the very reasonable price.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Writing Women Back into American HistoryBy BKWOMYNDo you need stories to tell girls/teens/young women? Do you teach and need examples of successful women? Are you an advocate for girls participation in science; technology; engineering and math (STEM) courses and careers? Would you like to advance girls/teens self esteem and confidence to pursue their dreams? Do you need to tell boys/teens/young men that girls are as capable as they are? Then obtain a copy of "Her Story: A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America". Whether read from cover to cover or opened at random; you will be amazed at the many; until now; unknown stories of what American women have accomplished and contributed to this country. These vignettes should be read by all Americans who desire to create a more inclusive society. No longer can we deny girls access to this important information as they struggle with media images of who they should be; look like or become. Give as a gift; purchase for yourself; school library or recommend for your community library; either way; the more Americans know about women's history; the more we can progress in educating future generations.
