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Ivan the Terrible (1975)
Front Cover Book Details
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
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
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.