Imperium

Imperium is a remarkable and moving history of the Soviet Union told through the people who lived through it. It is a classic of reportage and a literary masterwork by one of the great writers and witnesses of the twentieth century.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 07 February 2019
\n Publisher: Granta Books
\n

Imperium: The Story of an Empire is a remarkable and moving history of the Soviet Union told through the people who lived through it. Written by Michael Ignatieff, this book offers the most passionate, engaging, and historically profound account of the Soviet empire that I have read.

Imperium spans the entire twentieth century, from the arrival of Soviet troops into Kapuscinski's hometown in Poland in 1939 to just before the Berlin Wall came down. Throughout this period, the USSR experienced convulsions and ultimately collapsed. Kapuscinski traveled thousands of miles and talked to hundreds of ordinary Soviet people about their extraordinary lives and the terror they were emerging from.

What makes Imperium a classic of reportage is its ability to bring the reader into the lives of these ordinary Soviet people. Kapuscinski's writing is vivid and evocative, and he provides a deep insight into the experiences of the Soviet people during this turbulent period. He also offers a critical analysis of the Soviet regime, highlighting its flaws and abuses.

At the same time, Imperium is also a literary masterwork. Kapuscinski's writing is elegant and nuanced, and he has a gift for storytelling that is both captivating and profound. He weaves together a complex web of characters and events, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

One of the most striking aspects of Imperium is its combination of bleak history and black comedy. Kapuscinski's writing is often dark and humorless, but he is able to find moments of humor and humanity amidst the chaos and destruction of the Soviet era. This combination of tones adds to the book's power and makes it a truly memorable read.

In conclusion, Imperium: The Story of an Empire is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Soviet Union. It is a triumph of reportage and literature, offering a powerful and nuanced account of a complex and fascinating period in history. Kapuscinski's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, and his ability to bring the reader into the lives of ordinary Soviet people is truly remarkable.

\n Weight: 302g\n
Dimension: 192 x 125 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781783785254\n \n