Stalin – The court of the Red Tsar
Young Stalin
Stalin, like Hitler, remains the very personification of evil but also one of the creators of today's world. Now in an enthralling biography that reads like a thriller, Simon Sebag Montefiore unveils the shadowy, adventurous journey of the Georgian cobbler's son who became the Red Tsar.
Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar
Who was the boy from Georgia who rose to rule the Empire of the Tsars? Who were his Himmler, Göring, Goebbels? How did the 'top ten' families live? In this history of Stalin's imperial court – a Sunday Times bestseller, and winner of History Book of the Year 2004 – the fear betrayal, privilege and debauchery, family life and murderous brutality are brought blazingly to life.
Catherine the Great & Potemkin
Elton John and Mick Jagger used it for their Christmas presents, according to Evening Standard magazine, whilst President George W. Bush used it to brief himself on Russian history for his first meeting with President Putin.
It is history's greatest romance. Catherine the Great was a woman of notorious passion, political brilliance and fascinating charm. Prince Potemkin – wildly flamboyant and sublimely talented – was the love of her life, secret husband and political partner. Their sexual and political affair was so tumultuous, they negotiated an arrangement to share power, leaving Potemkin to love his beautiful nieces, and Catherine, her favourites. But these 'twin souls' never stopped loving each other.
Using their intimate letters, Montefiore brings to life this partnership of love, sex and power, restoring Catherine and Potemkin to their rightful place as titans of their age – and timeless lovers.
'Young Stalin is exhilarating. Montefiore has brought together an astonishing array of often new, often first-hand sources...'
Robert Conquest, Author of The Great Terror
'The most civilised and elegant chronicle of brutality and ruthlessness I have ever read'Ruth Rendell, Daily Telegraph Books of the Year
'Extraordinary...this book will provide new insights on every page.'
Anne Applebaum, Evening Standard
'A grim masterpiece... The personal details are riveting'Antonia Fraser, Mail on Sunday
'A rather wonderful book'Mick Jagger, Sunday Times