Description: Stalin's Scribe by Brian Boeck A masterful and definitive biography of one of the most misunderstood and controversial writers in Russian literature. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A masterful and definitive biography of one of the most misunderstood and controversial writers in Russian literature.Mikhail Sholokhov is arguably one of the most contentious recipients of the Nobel Prize in literature in history. As a young man, Sholokhovs epic novel, Quiet Don, became an unprecedented overnight success. Stalins Scribe is the first biography of a man who was once one of the Soviet Unions most prominent political figures. Thanks to the opening of Russias archives, Brian Boeck discovers that Sholokhovs official Soviet biography is actually a tangled web of legends, half-truths, and contradictions. Boeck examines the complex connection between an author and a dictator, revealing how a Stalinist courtier became an ideological acrobat and consummate politician in order to stay in favor and remain relevant after the dictators death. Stalins Scribe is remarkable biography that both reinforces and clashes with our understanding of the Soviet system. It reveals a Sholokhov who is bold, uncompromising, and sympathetic—and reconciles him with the vindictive and mean-spirited man described in so many accounts of late Soviet history. Shockingly, at the height of the terror, which claimed over a million lives, Sholokhov became a member of the most minuscule subset of the Soviet Unions population—the handful of individuals whom Stalin personally intervened to save. Author Biography Brian J. Boeck holds a Ph.D. in Russian history from Harvard University and have taught Russian and Soviet history for over a decade at DePaul University. He is the author of Imperial Boundaries (Cambridge) and lives in Chicago, Illinois. Review "A provocative and sympathetic new biography. No small achievement." * Washington Post *"[Stalins Scribe] tries to explain how Sholokhov lost the conscience he once had. Mr. Boeck observes insightfully that faking ones accomplishments and constructing a false identity were hardly offenses unique to Sholokhov." * Wall Street Journal *"Boeck relates with Dostoyevskian verisimilitude the psychological agonies Sholokhov must have endured at the time. Sholokhovs struggle to stay true to his vision in an atmosphere of blinding darkness is the theme of Boecks riveting political biography. To his great credit, Boeck himself is never blind to Sholokhovs profound flaws or to the fact that his struggle was largely doomed from the start. Insightful and compelling." * Los Angeles Review of Books *"Boeck displays his wide range of knowledge of the Soviet Union and delivers an insightful, gripping, squirm-inducing portrait of a great author who loyally served his government—perhaps too loyally." * Kirkus Reviews *"Boeck paints a nuanced portrait in this literary biography of a Nobel Prize–winning Russian novelist and accused (but exonerated) plagiarist. Boecks portrayal of his subjects international ill-fame, habit of hiding his emotions, clashes with Stalins successor Khrushchev, and drinking bouts make this a deeply engaging take on an important literary figure." * Publishers Weekly (starred) *"Excellent. Boeck has written more than a biography of a single writer; he also grants us unexpected insights into the minds of two of the most important Soviet leaders. I hope that Boecks book will help bring back our attention to a remarkable novel." -- Robert Chandler, The Financial Times"An important and stimulating book." * The Russian Review * Review Quote "Engagingly written, broadly researched, and rigorous." Details ISBN1681778742 Author Brian Boeck Publisher Pegasus Books ISBN-10 1681778742 ISBN-13 9781681778747 Format Hardcover Imprint Pegasus Books Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Pages 400 Year 2019 DEWEY 891.7342 Subtitle Literature, Ambition, and Survival: The Life of Mikhail Sholokhov Replaced by 9781643134796 Language English Short Title Stalins Scribe NZ Release Date 2019-02-19 US Release Date 2019-02-19 Publication Date 2019-02-19 UK Release Date 2019-02-19 Illustrations 8 pages of B&W photographs AU Release Date 2019-02-04 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137747056;
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Format: Hardcover
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Author: Brian Boeck
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Book Title: Stalin's Scribe
