I would have rated it higher had there been an index.
The book came to me when a PBS comrade offered us a wish listed book and I was able to add a couple more to the package from her supply of nonfiction with the intention of taking them to the VA Hospital lobby (many readers). On the bus trip out there I read the first few chapters and found it easy to read and well written. It opens with her memories as a small child in St. Petersburg, her mom is dressing for the evening out.
Her mom's parents were Swedish immigrants and her dad was half Tatar and half Turk. The former was poorer and the latter wealthy so marriage was out of the question. The large apartment housed her mom, grandma, two aunts, 2 maids, a cook, and a governess.
They move up in society during WWI by residing in her father's mother's mansion.
She had a good education, with tutors in French and German.
I was interested in the economy under Lenin's NEP--her way to ballet school was paid with Chervontzi (The USSR struck gold coins).
A lady of a certain age was delighted to take it up as I brought it to the book truck at the VA Hospital....
The book came to me when a PBS comrade offered us a wish listed book and I was able to add a couple more to the package from her supply of nonfiction with the intention of taking them to the VA Hospital lobby (many readers). On the bus trip out there I read the first few chapters and found it easy to read and well written. It opens with her memories as a small child in St. Petersburg, her mom is dressing for the evening out.
Her mom's parents were Swedish immigrants and her dad was half Tatar and half Turk. The former was poorer and the latter wealthy so marriage was out of the question. The large apartment housed her mom, grandma, two aunts, 2 maids, a cook, and a governess.
They move up in society during WWI by residing in her father's mother's mansion.
She had a good education, with tutors in French and German.
I was interested in the economy under Lenin's NEP--her way to ballet school was paid with Chervontzi (The USSR struck gold coins).
A lady of a certain age was delighted to take it up as I brought it to the book truck at the VA Hospital....
