Front Cover |
Book Details |
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Genre |
Biography; Non-Fiction |
Subject |
Ivan IV, Czar of Russia, 1530-1584; Russia - History - Ivan IV, 1533-1584 |
Publication Date |
May 1975 |
Format |
Hardcover (9.4
mm)
|
Publisher |
Crowell |
Language |
English |
Extras |
Dust Jacket; Dust Jacket Cover |
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Description |
This definitive biography offers abundant details on the life of Russian Czar Ivan IV (1530-1584), including his violent moodswings and his callous cruelty; the poisoning of his second wife and the murder of his son; and his obsession with religion and sin. The authors paint a chilling picture of life in Russia four hundred years ago that is based heavily on original Russian sources. |
Personal Details |
Store |
AbeBooks |
Purchase Price |
$10.94 |
Acquire Date |
5/27/2016 |
Condition |
Very Good/Good |
Rating |
0 |
Links |
Library of Congress
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|
Product Details |
LoC Classification |
DK106 .P39 1975 |
Dewey |
947.04/0924 |
ISBN |
0690005822 |
Edition |
[1st ed.] |
No. of Pages |
502 |
First Edition |
Yes |
Rare |
No |
|
Notes/Review |
Light edgewear to the unclipped, Brodart-protected dustwrapper is the only defect of this 1st/1st.
Book Condition: Used: Very Good Book Price: US$ 6.94 Shipping Price: US$ 4.00 Order Date: May 27, 2016 Total Confirmed Charge: US$ 10.94
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The name Ivan the Terrible conjures up all sorts of visions. For me, these visions have always been mostly unreal. When touring the Kremlin, we heard of him throwing cats out of the high windows of the Palace of Facets. Stories to scare children.
In truth, Ivan left a path of blood and killing that wouldn't be surpassed until the 20th century. But it took him a while to get there. The book may as well be split into two parts. Before the death of his wife Anastasia he was a good and able leader. Within weeks of his wife's death, he was a paranoid sociopath with unlimited power. He remained this way until he murdered his own son not long before his own death.
It's difficult to compare Ivan to Stalin or Hitler or Pol Pot. In the largest sense, Ivan didn't kill nearly as many people. Those 20th century villains were responsible for millions of deaths, but didn't actually do any of the killing by their own hands. Ivan was thrilled by killing, he liked having the blood of his victims splatter onto his own face. He reveled in devising new ways to torture and kill.
And, of course, he was a devout Christian, defender of the Orthodox faith. And in his final days he knew he'd be forgiven by God. |
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