Sinclair McKay Saint Petersburg : Sacrifice & Redemption in the City That

One of my favourite historians Dan SnowMcKay is a gifted writer his prose has the cadence, tone and power of a Shostakovich symphony. Horror is majestically conveyed Gerard DeGroot, The Times Richlylayered and packed with insight, this riveting account of terrible events tells us as much about the present as it does the past Patrick Bishop, author of Paris 44.McKays magisterial history of Peter the Greats monumental gift to Russia will become a classic Amanda Foreman, author of GeorgianaIn the crucible of the Second World War, Saint Petersburg then known as Leningrad stands as a testament to human endurance. As the Nazis encircle the city, intent on annihilating its 1.5 million inhabitants, the narrative plunges into the harrowing 900 days and nights of relentless hardship and unyielding resilience. Starving residents, horrified by their own gaunt reflections, resort to bulking bread with wood shavings, consuming wallpaper paste, and even turning to their pets. Workers at the mass crematorium numb their horror with extra vodka rations. Yet, amid this suffering, the resilience of culture and hope shines through, with orchestras and theatres defiantly continuing their performances, a flicker of humanity against the backdrop of despair. This book not only chronicles the Siege of Leningrad but also traces the pivotal importance of Saint Petersburg across the centuries. From Peter the Greats visionary founding of the city, through its revolutionary rebirth as Petrograd and its... | Sinclair McKay Saint Petersburg : Sacrifice & Redemption in the City That