Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia

Paperback. English. Penguin Books. 2003. In fair condition.

From the award-winning author of The Whisperers , Orlando Figes Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia is a dazzling history of Russia's mighty culture. Orlando Figes' enthralling, richly evocative history has been heralded as a literary masterpiece on Russia, the lives of those who have shaped its culture, and the enduring spirit of a people. Wonderfully rich ...magnificent and compelling ...a delight to read . (Antony Beevor). A tour de force by the great storyteller of modern Russian historians...Figes mobilizes a cast of serf harems, dynasties, politburos, libertines, filmmakers, novelists, composers, poets, tsars and tyrants ...superb, flamboyant and masterful . (Simon Sebag-Montefiore, Financial Times ). Awe-inspiring... Natasha's Dance has all the qualities of an epic tragedy . ( Mail on Sunday ). It is so much fun to read that I hesitate to write too much, for fear of spoiling the pleasures and surprises of the book . ( Sunday Telegraph ). Magnificent...Figes is at his exciting best . ( Guardian ). Breathtaking...The title of this masterly history comes from War and Peace, when the aristocratic heroine, Natasha Rostova, finds herself intuitively picking up the rhythm of a peasant dance..One of those books that, at times, makes you wonder how you have so far managed to do without it . ( Independent on Sunday ). Thrilling, dizzying...I would defy any reader not to be captivated . ( Literary Review ). Orlando Figes is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is the author of Peasant Russia , Civil War , A People's Tragedy , Natasha's Dance , The Whisperers and Just Send Me Word . His books have been translated into over twenty languages.