New Releases by Simon Sebag Montefiore

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Romanovs—and one of our pre-eminent historians and a prizewinning writer—comes an inspiring, horrifying, and accessible collection of short, entertaining, and vivid life stories about the giant characters who have changed the course of world history. These titans of history—encompassing queens, empresses, and actresses, kings, sultans, and conquerors, as well as prophets, artists, courtesans, psychopaths, and explorers—lived lives of astonishing drama, courage and adventure, debauchery and slaughter, virtue and crime. The subjects range widely throughout time and geography from Buddha and Genghis Khan to Nero and Churchill; from Catherine the Great and Anne Frank to Toussaint l’Ouverture and Martin Luther King; from Mozart to Mao; from Jesus Christ and Shakespeare to Einstein and Elvis. Through these lives, Montefiore recounts the most momentous world events—from ancient times to the Crusades, the Holocaust, and the Gulf Wars. These are the historical figures that everyone should know and the stories we should never forget.

《泰晤士報》、《經濟學人》、《標準晚報》、《每日電訊報》年度好書 《金融時報》、《紐約時報》、《華爾街日報》、《華盛頓郵報》、《文學評論》、 《旁觀者》、《觀察家報》、《新政治家》、《每日郵報》、《獨立報》、《出版商週刊》、 《衛報》等十數家媒體一致推薦 劍橋大學歷史博士、大眾歷史學家蒙提費歐里繼《耶路撒冷三千年》後，又一史詩巨作 【內容簡介】 羅曼諾夫王朝是近代最偉大的王朝，曾統治地球表面達六分之一，幅員從歐洲一路延展到亞洲。羅曼諾夫一族也是近代最戲劇性的家族，他們曾重建遭戰火蹂躪的莫斯科公國，使其搖身一變成為歐陸強權，但又帶領帝國逐漸走向衰敗，最後落得沙皇一家遭滅門的命運。這一切故事都要從兩位小男孩說起，他們名叫米哈伊爾與阿列克謝。 本書是二十位沙皇和女皇的故事，其中有不世出的天才，如彼得大帝、葉卡捷琳娜大帝，有的是瘋子，更有能力不足以承擔帝國的平庸之人，如末代皇帝尼古拉二世。但無論如何，這些沙皇都受到神聖獨裁統治和帝國野心的激勵，展現他們的無止盡權力跟無情的統治。 統治俄國既是沙皇的神聖使命，他們自認為是人民的「父親」與「牧者」，但同時沙皇寶座也是一杯毒酒。在羅曼諾夫王朝三百年歷史中，共有六位沙皇遭到謀殺，對沙皇來說，掌握權力、制衡派系是門藝術，更是保命的關鍵。因為失去權力的下場可能是遭到廢黜，而廢黜則意味著死亡。 在本書中，我們會瞻仰彼得大帝的明君形象，如何推行西化，將俄國發展成歐陸強國，但也會目睹彼得大帝如何殘忍地將兒子折磨至死。我們會讚嘆葉卡捷琳娜大帝光輝燦爛的統治生涯，也會耳聞她諱莫如深的宮廷醜聞。就如作者所言，這不是一本俄國全史、政治史、經濟史或軍事史的專書，它記述的是羅曼諾夫王朝的家族史，它描寫的是人性的光明與陰暗、高潔與低劣，這是一部關於父母與兒女、天才與庸才、聖人與怪物的王朝編年史。 【國際書評】 蒙提費歐里的《沙皇時代》是一部規模極其宏大的史詩。……故事包括陰謀、政變、暗殺、酷刑、刺刑、輪刑、致命的鞭笞、荒淫、縱酒、庸醫、皇位覬覦者、通過殘酷的農奴制獲得的巨額財富，以及，不足為奇地，鎮壓與反叛的惡性循環。與之相比，《冰與火之歌》簡直就是鄉村牧師的茶話會。……讀了蒙提費歐里的絕妙敘述，讓人覺得，在沙皇的災難性領導下，俄國君主制的滅亡是個必然。 ——安東尼．比弗（Antony Beevor），《金融時報》 手不釋卷……需要真正的歷史性勇氣才能寫這樣一個宏大的題材……蒙提費歐里用區區幾個詞躍然紙上地描寫人物的小說家天賦，從來沒有辜負過他……對主要人物的某些描寫都令人過目難忘……對俄國歷史和命途多舛的羅曼諾夫家族感興趣的讀者都應當閱讀這部巨著。 ——奧爾加．格魯辛（Olga Grushin），《紐約時報》書評 本書精采紛呈，後三分之一的內容，從二十世紀初到革命的大動盪，特別令人眼花撩亂。……正如小說家將對話熔煉在一起，蒙提費歐里用回憶錄中的精妙引言來描寫末代沙皇每一個女兒的誕生。在王朝滅亡的宏偉詩篇中，蒙提費歐里入木三分地講述了拉斯普京的陰謀詭計和他的遇害，以及一九一八年羅曼諾夫家族十八位成員被殺害的經過，震撼人心。…感謝蒙提費歐里的才華，今後羅曼諾夫王朝的統治將會顯得更加令人難以置信且更加讓人魂牽夢縈。 ——史帝芬．科特金（Stephen Kotkin），《華爾街日報》 蒙提費歐里運用了大量俄國史料，為一系列趣味橫生、充滿領袖魅力、怪異或醜惡的人物繪製了令人難忘的肖像。輝煌的宮殿，流光溢彩的舞會，創造了普希金、柴可夫斯基和托爾斯泰的文化，與種族迫害、酷刑和謀殺並存……他們是地球超過六分之一面積的統治者，像西方人一樣優雅，同時又固守拜占庭風格的專制統治理念……博學而可讀性極強。 ——葛列格．金（Greg King），《華盛頓郵報》 蒙提費歐里善於捕捉能夠增強讀者不熟悉題材吸引力的重要細節。他關於俄國皇室的皇皇巨著包含許多這樣繪聲繪影、有趣而出人意料地細節。這本書在情色和血腥方面的細節有些令人驚訝……除了血腥和性之外，作者的文風流暢，有的部分非常優美。他關於羅曼諾夫時代的很多思考同樣適用於今日普丁的統治……俄國朝廷是權力的交換中心：它是一個中間商，幫助權貴們聚集財富，並將他們都連接起來，而連接的紐帶就是他們對朝廷的忠誠。但朝廷這樣也能允許權貴們互相競爭而不至於發生內戰或革命。這聽起來很像今天的克里姆林宮。 ——《經濟學人》 引人入勝……羅曼諾夫家族的故事，已經被講過很多次了，但此前從來沒有一部作品能把文學性、精采的敘述、嚴肅的研究和心理學洞見結合起來。《沙皇時代》結合了所有這些方面，從戰爭和外交到體制建設和宮廷陰謀，但這主要是一部傳記，讓二十位俄國君主栩栩如生，躍然紙上……蒙提費歐里精妙而高明地描寫了宮廷生活的性質、權力的運作和不同角色間風雲變幻的關系。 ——道格拉斯．史密斯（Douglas Smith），《文學評論》 醜惡的權力鬥爭、暴力衝突與殘忍惡行、輝煌的怪物般的人物、悲劇性的受害者和詭異的「聖人」：這是一個超乎尋常而扣人心弦的故事……時而恐怖，時而滑稽，時而催人淚下，但說到底是一部悲劇。對俄國感興趣的人都必須讀這本書。 ——亞當．扎莫伊斯基（Adam Zamoyski），《旁觀者》 精采紛呈，一針見血……蒙提費歐里為羅曼諾夫王朝二十位沙皇及其他們的配偶、情婦與高級謀臣撰寫了精當而頗有洞見的傳記……作者已經寫了幾本關於葉卡捷琳娜大帝和史達林的好書。這本書甚至更妙，將他對俄國歷史的專業知識和他的神奇敘述能力結合起來。我們在他之前的暢銷書《耶路撒冷三千年》裡已經見識到他這種敘述才華。《沙皇時代》是一部扣人心弦而幾乎令人難以置信的故事，講述的是自凱撒家族以來最成功的一個王朝。蒙提費歐里把這個故事講得十分美妙。 ——索爾．大衛（Saul David），《旗幟晚報》 精美的文風……嚴謹的學術研究……對腐化墮落的極其詳盡的描寫。作者頗具洞察力地分析了俄國人對專制統治的癮。《沙皇時代》包括我見過的最怪異的一群人物……羅曼諾夫家族裡有不少人是瘋狂的性癮者……完美的文字節奏感。 ——傑拉德．德．格魯特（Gerard de Groot），《泰晤士報》 蒙提費歐里對羅曼諾夫王朝三百年歷史的研究涉及暴力、性與權力……引人入勝……研究很細緻，文風動人。 ——約翰．坎普夫納（John Kampfner），《觀察家報》 這本五彩斑斕且活力充沛的書……結構很簡單，是涵蓋三百多年的按照時間順序的敘述史。蒙提費歐里從這段漫長歷史裡專業地選取了某些部分（驚世駭俗的、怪異荒唐的、有戲劇性的），並將之淋漓盡致地展示出來。……蒙提費歐里的故事橫?時空，從成吉思汗到戈巴契夫，但他的文字不會因為博學而讓讀者望而卻步……他具有極強的天賦，擅長活潑地描寫人物和講述故事。 ——露西．休斯－哈勒特（Lucy Hughes-Hallett），《新政治家》 蒙提費歐里推出新書，在今天可以算是文學界的重大事件……他最新的作品是目前為止他最雄心勃勃的一部……他泰然自若地完成了這項事業。本書既是令人手不釋卷的精采讀物，也是了不起的學術著作……羅曼諾夫王朝在鮮血中崛起，又在鮮血中滅亡。在今天這個時候出版這樣一部扣人心弦的史詩著作，真是恰到好處。 ——多明尼克．米吉利（Dominic Midgley），《每日郵報》 蒙提費歐里關於羅曼諾夫王朝的重磅級暢銷書推出的時間再好不過……這位歷史學家對羅曼諾夫王朝最後幾個月、幾天和幾個小時的記述不會讓讀者失望……還展現出了蒙提費歐里最活力四射的敘述才華。關於羅曼諾夫王朝滅亡的經過，不大可能有比這更精采的描述了。大師傑作。 ——瑪麗．德傑夫斯基（Mary Dejevsky），《獨立報》 《沙皇時代》體現了作者講故事的天賦和研究上的聰明敏銳……蒙提費歐里為羅曼諾夫統治者及其親信繪製了充滿同情心而入木三分的肖像。他大量運用歷史日記和通信，並且擅長製造戲劇性。這部書雖然篇幅很大，但能輕而易舉地吸引到讀者的興趣與注意力。 ——《出版商週刊》星級評論 出版社??馬可孛羅 (城邦)

‘Packed with fun, fantasy and the sort of adventure guaranteed to have sticky little fingers hungrily turning the pages’ The Mail on Sunday ‘The Royal Rabbits is sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated'' The Times Little Shylo Tawny-Tail and the Royal Rabbits of London are back! The adventure continues in this charming series from bestselling authors Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore and illustrator Kate Hindley, that proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is possible – by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet noise and a slice of mad courage! The biggest, most beautiful diamond in the whole world has been stolen from Buckingham Palace! Nobody knows how a sneaky thief managed to take the Siberian Diamond from right under the Queen’s nose – but Shylo and the brave Royal Rabbits of London will do whatever it takes to solve the case and return the jewel to its rightful place. Then they discover that Russia''s secret-agent minks are in London, could they have something to do with the theft? But nothing is quite what it seems, and the Royal Rabbits soon realise they are going to need a help from an old friend to solve this mystery...

''Packed with fun, fantasy and the sort of adventure guaranteed to have sticky little fingers hungrily turning the pages'' The Mail on Sunday ''The Royal Rabbits of London is sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated'' The Times ''Enchanting....Kate Hindley''s illustrations are a treat'' The Lady Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is possible - by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet nose and a slice of mad courage! The biggest, most beautiful diamond in the whole world has been stolen from Buckingham Palace! Nobody knows how the sneaky thief managed to take the Siberian Diamond from right under the Queen''s nose - but Shylo and the brave Royal Rabbits of London will do whatever it takes to solve the case and return the jewel to its rightful place. Then they discover that Russia''s elite sharp-toothed secret-agent minks are in London, could they have anything to do with the theft...? But nothing is quite what it seems, and the Royal Rabbits soon realise they might need a bit of help from an old friend to solve this mystery... The Hobbit meets Fantastic Mr Fox meets Watership Down in this bestselling series from Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore, which proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. Featuring illustrations throughout by award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley.

«Semplicemente epico… Da trattenere il fiato!» Andrea Marcolongo Unione Sovietica, 1942: imprigionato in un gulag per un crimine che non ha commesso, Benya Golden sembra condannato a morire di stenti nella terribile Kolyma fino a quando da Stalin arriva l’ordine di costituire un battaglione a cavallo composto di detenuti per combattere l’avanzata della Wehrmacht ormai alle porte di Stalingrado. Chi riuscirà a sopravvivere alle missioni suicide alle quali viene destinato il battaglione otterrà in cambio la libertà. Benya, giornalista ben poco esperto di armi e di combattimenti, si trova catapultato dietro le linee nemiche, composte da soldati tedeschi e italiani. Qui combatterà la sua personalissima guerra incrociando il suo destino con quello di agenti segreti, traditori, cosacchi, nazisti e della bellissima infermiera italiana, Fabiana, con la quale avrà una bruciante storia d’amore. Un amore impossibile, mentre nelle steppe russe infuria una delle più violente battaglie della seconda guerra mondiale…

Bestselling author and master storyteller Simon Sebag Montefiore''s gripping, moving and highly acclaimed novels of love and war, betrayal, espionage and terror - gathered here for the first time in one compelling volume. Sashenka It is winter 1916 in the tsar’s wartime capital St Petersburg and the beautiful and headstrong Sashenka Zeitlin plays a dangerous game of conspiracy and seduction. Twenty years on, she is a perfect Communist wife and mother who risks everything for a forbidden love affair with a pleasure loving writer which will have devastating consequences. Sashenka''s story lies hidden for half a century until a young historian goes deep into Stalin''s private archives and uncovers a heartbreaking story of passion, betrayal, and unexpected heroism. Red Sky at Noon Imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, Benya Golden joins a penal battalion to fight the invading Nazis and enrols in a cavalry unit of criminals and Cossacks sent on a desperate ride across the sweltering grasslands of southern Russia. Switching between the cruel war and Stalin''s secrets in the Kremlin, Benya’s affair with an Italian nurse is the heart of this epic story of passion, bravery and survival where betrayal and death are constant companions, – and love, however fleeting and doomed, offers a glimmer of redemption. One Night in Winter As Stalin and his courtiers celebrate victory over Hitler, the teenage children of two of Russia''s top leaders are found dead. An investigation begins in their elite school, teenagers and children are arrested and forced to testify against their friends and their parents. The terrifying inquiry soon unveils illicit love affairs and family secrets in a world where the smallest mistakes can be punished by death.

Imprisoned in the Gulags for a crime he did not commit, Benya Golden joins a penal battalion made up of Cossacks and convicts to fight the Nazis. He enrolls in the Russian cavalry, and on a hot summer day in July 1942, he and his band of brothers are sent on a suicide mission behind enemy lines—but is there a traitor among them? The only thing Benya can truly trust is his horse, Silver Socks, and that he will find no mercy in onslaught of Hitler’s troops as they push East.Spanning ten epic days, between Benya’s war on the grasslands of southern Russia and Stalin’s intrigues in the Kremlin, between Benya’s intense affair with an Italian nurse and a romance between Stalin’s daughter and a war correspondent, this is a sweeping story of passion, bravery, and survival—where betrayal is a constant companion, death just a heartbeat away, and love, however fleeting, offers a glimmer of redemption.

Savuroasă, amuzantă și minunat ilustrată! The Times Viața e o aventură. Orice e posibil – cu voință și noroc, cu un morcov proaspăt, un nas umed și un dram de curaj nebun! Shylo a fost mereu cel mai firav și mai tăcut dintre toți frățiorii lui, care n-au scăpat nicio ocazie de a râde de el. Dar atunci când dă peste o bandă de șobolani și aude din întâmplare despre un complot diabolic împotriva Reginei, va fi datoria lui să-i găsească pe Iepurii Regali din Londra, ca să-l ajute să salveze situația. Va putea oare cel mai mic dintre iepurași să se dovedească a fi cel mai mare dintre eroi?u200b

Romanovit on ylivertaista eeppistä historiaa ( ) Siihen verrattuna Game of Thrones on kuin teekutsut pappilan puutarhassa - Antony Beevor. Miten verisesti keskenään riitelevä suku onnistui saamaan Venäjän otteeseensa ja rakentamaan maailman loistavimman dynastian - ja miten he tuhosivat sen? Kun Romanovit nousivat osin sattuman kautta Venäjän valtaistuimelle, maa oli sotien ja nälänhädän raunioittama. Vähitellen suku sai sekasortoisesta maasta rautaisen otteen ja ryhtyi laajentamaan alueitaan. Tuloksena oli valtakunta, jota mikään mahti ei voinut kaataa - paitsi Romanovit itse. Kun hallitsijasuku romahti, myös Suomelle avautui mahdollisuus itsenäistyä. Millaisia ihmisiä olivat yhdeksäntoista Romanov-suvun hallitsijaa ja heidän lähipiirinsä? Entä elääkö Romanovien henkinen perintö uutta kukoistuskauttaan nyky-Venäjän johdossa? Simon Sebag Montefiore syntyi vuonna 1965 ja opiskeli historiaa Cambridgessa. Hänen kirjansa Catherine the Great and Potemkin oli ehdolla Samuel Johnson, Duff Cooper ja Marsh Biography -palkintojen saajaksi. Stalin sai British Book Awardsin Vuoden historiateos -palkinnon. Nuori Stalin sai Costa Biography Awardin (Iso-Britannia), LA Times Book Prize for Biographyn (Yhdysvallat), Le Grand Prix de la Biographie Politiquen (Ranska) sekä Kreiskyn palkinnon politiikan alan teoksena (Itävalta). BBC teki Montefioren kirjan Jerusalemin pohjalta televisiodokumenttisarjan. Montefioren kirjoja on julkaistu yli 35 kielellä. Hänet on hyväksytty Royal Society of Literaturen jäseneksi, ja hän asuu Lontoossa vaimonsa romaanikirjailija Santa Montefioren ja heidän kahden lapsensa kanssa.

''Packed with fun, fantasy and the sort of adventure guaranteed to have sticky little fingers hungrily turning the pages'' The Mail on Sunday Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is possible - by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet nose and a slice of mad courage! Little Shylo Tawny-Tail is proud to call himself one of the Royal Rabbits of London, a secret order who live under Buckingham Palace and fight evil across the world. But high up in London''s famous skyscraper, the Shard, the horrible Ratzis are plotting to cause chaos during a visit from the President of the United States. And when the Grand Burrow is attacked and Shylo is kidnapped, it looks as though they might just manage it! Can Shylo escape in time to save the day? The Hobbit meets Fantastic Mr Fox meets Watership Down in this bestselling series from Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore, which proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. Featuring illustrations throughout by award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley. PRAISE FOR THE ROYAL RABBITS OF LONDON: ''The Royal Rabbits of London is sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated'' The Times ''Enchanting....Kate Hindley''s illustrations are a treat'' The Lady

‘Packed with fun, fantasy and the sort of adventure guaranteed to have sticky little fingers hungrily turning the pages’ The Mail on Sunday ‘The Royal Rabbits is sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated'' The Times Shylo''s adventures with his Royal Rabbit friends continue in this charming series from bestselling authors Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore and illustrator Kate Hindley, that proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is possible – by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet noise and a slice of mad courage! Little Shylo Tawny-Tail is proud to call himself one of the Royal Rabbits of London, a secret order who live under Buckingham Palace and fight evil across the world. But high up in one of London’s famous skyscrapers, the horrible Ratzis are plotting to cause chaos during a visit from the President of the United States. And when the Grand Burrow is attacked and Shylo is kidnapped, it looks as though they might just manage it! Can Shylo escape in time to save the day?

»Exzellent! Dagegen ist ›Game of Thrones‹ das reinste Kaffeekränzchen.« Antony Beevor Die prunkvolle und blutige Geschichte der sagenumwobenen Dynastie der Romanows, die Russland jahrhundertelang bescherrschte und bis heute prägt. Wie kein anderes Adelsgeschlecht sind die Romanows der Inbegriff von schillerndem Prunk, Macht, Dekadenz und Grausamkeit. Über 300 Jahre dominierten sie das russische Reich, mehr als 20 Zaren und Zarinnen gingen aus dem Geschlecht hervor, allesamt getrieben von unbändigem Machthunger und rücksichtslosem Willen zu herrschen – einige dem Wahnsinn näher als dem Genie. Simon Sebag Montefiore erzählt die Saga dieser unglaublichen Familie, in der Rivalität, Giftmorde und sexuelle Exzesse regelrecht auf der Tagesordnung standen. Basierend auf neuester Forschung und unbekanntem Archivmaterial zeichnet er die Schicksale und politischen Verwicklungen nach. Weder zuvor noch danach gab es ein so gewaltiges Reich, in dem sich Glanz und Grausamkeit auf unheilvolle Weise verbündeten. Mit zahlreichen Abbildungen, prächtige Ausstattung. »Eine außergewöhnliche und packende Geschichte, voll von schmutzigen Machtkämpfen, Gewalt und Brutalität, großartigen Monstern, bedauernswerten Opfern und grotesken Heiligen ... entsetzlich, urkomisch und bewegend, aber auch unendlich tragisch.« Adam Zamoyski, Autor der Bestseller ›1812‹ und ›1815‹

Voici l''histoire intime de la dynastie des Romanov, avec ces tsars et tsarines, touchés par le génie ou la folie, tous attirés par l''autocratie et l''ambition impériale. Cette captivante chronique révèle leur monde secret, leur toute puissance, et raconte comment ils ont construit leur empire de manière impitoyable, au gré des conspirations, des rivalités familiales, et d''extravagances sexuelles. On retrouve, sous la plume vivante et inimitable de Simon Sebag Montefiore, tous les personnages tonitruants pour qui gouverner la Russie fut à la fois une mission sacrée et un cadeau empoisonné : Pierre le Grand qui tortura son fils à mort, exigeant des membres de sa cour une ivresse permanente tout en faisant de la Russie un grand Empire ; la Grande Catherine qui renversa son mari, conquit l''Ukraine et fascina l''Europe ; Paul Ier, étranglé par les courtisans soutenus par son propre fils ; Alexandre II qui survécut à plusieurs tentatives d''assassinat, et écrivit sans doute les lettres d''amour les plus licencieuses jamais écrites par un souverain. Dans ce livre où petite et grande histoire s''entrelacent, Simon Sebag Montefiore fait revivre avec une intensité remarquable et un foisonnement d''anecdotes et de détails, les grands moments qui ont ponctué la légende des Romanov. Et dans ce portrait de l''empire c''est aussi la Russie d''aujourd''hui qui se dessine en creux.

Het leven is een avontuur. Alles is mogelijk, met wilskracht en geluk, een sappige wortel, een natte neus en een snufje onbezonnen moed! Shylo was altijd het onderdeurtje van zijn nest, de zwakste en rustigste van de familie. Zijn broers en zussen zetten hem voor schut, omdat hij anders is. Maar wanneer Shylo op een groepje paparatzi’s stuit en van hun plan hoort om een foto te nemen van de koningin in haar nachtjapon, is het aan deze onwaarschijnlijke held om naar Londen te reizen en de Koninklijke Konijnen van Londen te vertellen over dit duivelse plot! De Koninklijke Konijnen van Londen kennen een lange geschiedenis in de bescherming van de koninklijke familie en nu is het aan dit geheime genootschap om in actie te komen en de Ratzi’s te stoppen... Kan een klein konijntje zo zwak en verlegen als Shylo hen ervan overtuigen dat de koningin in gevaar is? Van de bestsellerauteurs Simon Sebag Montefiore & Santa Montefiore! Origineel, sprankelend en fantasievol Met sfeervolle, levendige illustraties van Kate Hindley

The perfect Easter gift for readers age 7+! The adventure begins for brave little Shylo and his Royal Rabbit friends in this charming series from bestselling authors Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore and illustrator Kate Hindley, that proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is possible – by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet noise and a slice of mad courage! Shylo has always been the runt of the litter, the weakest and quietest of all of his family. His siblings spend their days making fun of him for not being like the rest of them. But when Shylo stumbles across a band of ratzis and overhears their evil plan to take a photo of the Queen in her nightie, it''s up to this unlikely hero to travel to London and inform the Royal Rabbits of London about the diabolical plot! The Royal Rabbits have a proud history of protecting the royal family and now the secret society need to leap into action to stop the ratzis... But can a rabbit as feeble and shy as Shylo convince them that Queen is in danger? Praise for The Royal Rabbits: ‘Packed with fun, fantasy and the sort of adventure guaranteed to have sticky little fingers hungrily turning the pages’ The Mail on Sunday ‘The Royal Rabbits is sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated'' The Times

Los Románov gobernaron Rusia como zares y emperadores durante trescientos años. A través de la fuerza implacable de su personalidad, esta familia de peculiares pero brillantes autócratas transformó un reino débil y arruinado por la guerra civil en un imperio que dominó Europa. Pedro el Grande, el tirano borracho y asesino, gigante físicamente y reformador político; y Catalina la Grande, la apasionada princesa alemana que derrocó a su propio marido para convertirse en el estadista más sobresaliente de una edad de oro, fueron los dos más grandes gobernantes de Rusia. Elizaveta, que era tan promiscua como glamurosa, continuó el ascenso de Rusia como una potencia europea; más tarde los irresponsables y desequilibrados Pedro III y Pablo I fueron asesinados. Nicolás I censuró a Pushkin, se nombró a sí mismo Gendarme de Europa y luchó en la guerra de Crimea con Gran Bretaña. Finalmente, Nicolás II y Alexandra, a pesar de su feliz matrimonio y la tragedia de su hijo hemofílico, resultaron ser demasiado ineptos para salvar a Rusia de la Gran Guerra y revolución. Esta es la historia de cómo Rusia se convirtió en el país que hoy conocemos. Simon Sebag Montefiore muestra que el imperio de autócratas y sus pequeñas camarillas siempre han dominado la historia de Rusia, desde el primer zar Románov en 1613, a través de la magnificencia de Pedro y Catalina y el torpe declive de Nicolás II, de los zares rojos -Lenin y Stalin en el siglo XX- y la presidencia autoritaria de Putin en el siglo XXI.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the national bestselling author of Stalin: An "epic history on the grandest scale” (Financial Times) about the most successful dynasty of modern times, a family who created the world’s greatest empire—and then lost it all. "An essential addition to the library of anyone interested in Russian history.” —The New York Times Book Review The Romanovs ruled a sixth of the world’s surface for three centuries. How did one family turn a war-ruined principality intoc the world’s greatest empire? And how did they lose it all? This is the intimate story of twenty tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Simon Sebag Montefiore’s gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire-building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence, and wild extravagance. Drawing on new archival research, Montefiore delivers an enthralling epic of triumph and tragedy, love and murder, that is both a universal study of power and a portrait of empire that helps define Russia today.

A widely acclaimed biography from the bestselling author of The Romanovs: "One of the great love stories of history” (The Economist) between Catherine the Great and the wildly flamboyant and talented Prince Potemkin. • "Captures the genius of two extraordinary Enlightenment figures—and of the age as well." —The Wall Street Journal Catherine the Great was a woman of notorious passion and imperial ambition. Prince Potemkin was the love of her life and her co-ruler. Together they seized Ukraine and Crimea, territories that define the Russian sphere of influence to this day. Their affair was so tumultuous that they negotiated an arrangement to share power, leaving each of them free to take younger lovers. But these “twin souls” never stopped loving each other. Drawing on the pair’s intimate letters and on vast research, Simon Sebag Montefiore restores these imperial partners to their rightful place as titans of their age. "Biography in the grand tradition...Riveting...The author [is] a gifted storyteller." —The Washington Post

Simon Sebag Montefiore, uno de los más eminentes historiadores británicos, nos presenta las vidas de los gigantes que, para bien o para mal, han hecho nuestro mundo, en un reparto que va de conquistadores, poetas, reyes, emperatrices y prostitutas a psicópatas, compositores y exploradores; figuras como Tamerlán, el señor de la guerra mongol que, en el siglo XIV ordenó la construcción de una pirámide de 70.000 cráneos humanos, u Oskar Schindler, el hombre cuyo desinteresado heroísmo salvó a más de mil judíos de la muerte a manos de la los nazis. Informativo, entretenido, estimulante y a veces escalofriante, esta es una historia del mundo que contiene las historias y los personajes que todos deberían conocer y que nadie debe olvidar.

Van rebel tot rode tsaar ''Later zullen er voor niemand zaken verborgen blijven,'' voorspelde Stalin. Het is Simon Sebag Montefiore inderdaad gelukt om met Stalins Jeugdjaren de meeste geheimen te ontsluieren. Tien jaar onderzoek, in 23 steden en in negen landen, ligt ten grondslag aan dit magistrale boek. Mede op basis van nieuw, opzienbarend archiefmateriaal schreef Montefiore een meeslepende biografie van de in 1878 geboren schoenmakerszoon, de idealistische seminarist, bendeleider, dichter, echtgenoot en charmeur, die in de jaren dertig aan de macht kwam en een van de grootste dictators van de twintigste eeuw werd. Stalins Jeugdjaren is het portret van een zoekende jongen met een jeugd zonder veel vooruitzichten, die in de revolutionaire idealen zijn romantische, messianistische missie vond. Simon Sebag Montefiore is een schrijver van uitzonderlijke klasse. In 2004 verscheen zijn Stalin. Het hof van de rode tsaar over het leven van Stalin vanaf de jaren dertig tot aan zijn overlijden in 1953. Met Stalins jeugdjaren heeft Montefiore een groots overzicht voltooid van de bewogen geschiedenis van Rusland in de eerste helft van de vorige eeuw.

Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet verdens bedste bog om den mest omstridte, elskede, ombejlede, kontroversielle by - og har gjort det med så stor indlevelse, grundighed og overbevisning, at det er en af de mest roste biografier over en hel by nogensinde. Det gør bogen til et must for alle, der bare er det mindste interesseret i, hvor vores holdninger, overbevisninger, tro (eller mangel på samme) kommer fra, og hvorfor der er så store spændinger mellem kristne, jøder og muslimer i verden i dag. "Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet en stakåndet og vidunderlig bog om verdens mest omstridte by." ***** - Berlingske Tidende "En bog man bliver klogere af." ***** - Jyllands-Posten "Et brag af en bog om de seneste tre tusind år i den hellige by." ***** - Politiken "En levende og velresearchet bog fra bibelske David og frem til i dag." ***** - Ekstra Bladet "Vellykket kæmpeværk med bud til alle, der har interesse i kulturhistorie." - Kristeligt Dagblad

Se os seus filhos fossem obrigados a testemunhar contra si, que segredos revelariam? Moscovo, 1945. Enquanto Estaline celebra a vitória sobre Hitler, ouvem-se tiros ao longe. Numa ponte da cidade são encontrados os corpos sem vida de um casal de adolescentes. É uma tragédia de contornos invulgares. Rosa e Nikolai eram filhos de dois líderes do Kremlin, estudavam numa escola de elite, eram modelos de virtude. Estamos perante um crime? Um pacto suicida? Ou uma conspiração? A investigação, conduzida pelo próprio Estaline, estende-se ao círculo restrito das famílias mais poderosas do império. Várias crianças são feitas prisioneiras e obrigadas a testemunhar contra os pais e amigos. A pouco e pouco, são revelados os amores ilícitos e os segredos da alta sociedade de Moscovo, cruelmente exposta no seu esplendor e decadência. Um mundo onde o mais insignificante erro pode significar a morte e não há direito a perdão. Simon Sebag Montefiore é o autor dos livros de história premiados O Jovem Estaline, Jerusalém: Uma Biografia e do romance Sashenka. Os seus livros são bestsellers mundiais e estão traduzidos para mais de quarenta línguas. Uma Noite de Inverno ganhou o prémio Political Fiction Book of the Year e foi nomeado para o Orwell Prize.

“The truly magnetic power” of this thriller is “the stirring of our deepest fears and their unexpected resolution—at this, Montefiore is the master” (Washington Post). Inspired by a true story, prize–winning historian and acclaimed novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore explores the consequences of forbidden love in this heartbreaking epic that unfolds in Stalin’s Moscow. As Soviet Russia celebrates the motherland’s glorious victory over the Nazis, shots ring out on the crowded streets. On a nearby bridge, a teenage boy and girl lie dead. But this is no ordinary tragedy, because these are no ordinary teenagers. As the son and daughter of high-ranking Soviet officials, they attend the most elite school in Moscow. Was it an accident, or murder? Is it a conspiracy against Stalin, or one of his own terrifying intrigues? On Stalin’s instructions, a ruthless investigation begins that becomes known as the Children’s Case. Youth across the city are arrested and forced to testify against their friends and their parents. As families are ripped apart, secrets come spilling out. Trapped at the center of this witch-hunt are two pairs of illicit lovers, who learn that matters of the heart exact a terrible price. By turns a darkly sophisticated political thriller, a rich historical saga, and a deeply human love story, Montefiore’s masterful novel powerfully portrays the terror and drama of Stalin’s Russia. “In a league of its own.” —Wall Street Journal “A darkly enjoyable read.” —The Guardian, London “Gripping.” —Steve Emmett, New York Journal of Books “A kind of Virgin Suicides for the Soviet set, speaking to much that’s dark in the human soul—but to what can redeem it, too.” —Kirkus Reviews

Jeruzalem is het centrum van de wereld, de hoofdstad van drie religies, de prijs van vele veroveraars en het strijdtoneel van botsende beschavingen. De stad is zo vaak in wisselende handen geweest dat dit standaardwerk ook een geschiedenis is van het woelige Midden-Oosten, van het verre verleden tot het heden. `Montefiore heeft een fraai portret geschilderd van een even mooie als explosieve stad. ***** de Volkskrant `Meesterlijk [...] een briljant verteld verhaal dat meesleurt, maar ook een belangrijk boek.'' Elsbeth Etty in NRC Handelsblad `Overdonderende geschiedenis van de belangrijkste stad op aarde. Bart Funnekotter in NRC Handelsblad `Magistrale biografie. Trouw `De grote waarde van dit boek is zijn helderheid. Het boek ontrafelt het web van de vele mythen die rond de stad zijn gecreëerd []. De Standaard `Een goede geschiedenis [...] De toon waarop de auteur zijn gegevens weergeeft is vaak ook met een vleugje humor of met milde kritiek, en dat maakt de vaak wrede geschiedenis meer verteerbaar. Tijdschrift voor geestelijk leven

Mosca 1945: mentre Stalin si appresta a festeggiare la vittoria sui nazisti insieme ai suoi più stretti collaboratori, poco distante risuonano due spari. Un ragazzo e una ragazza vengono trovati morti su un ponte. Ma i giovani non sono persone qualsiasi, bensì appartengono a due delle famiglie più influenti e più vicine a Stalin e frequentano entrambi il collegio più esclusivo, dove studia tutta la nuova élite politica e intellettuale dell’Unione Sovietica. Si tratta di un omicidio? Di un doppio suicidio? Di una cospirazione contro lo Stato? Le indagini si svolgono sotto il diretto controllo di Stalin, che fa interrogare i compagni di scuola costringendoli a testimoniare contro i loro amici, i loro fratelli e i loro stessi genitori, in una terribile caccia alle streghe che porta alla luce amori illeciti e segreti famigliari e in cui il più piccolo sbaglio può significare una condanna a morte... Emozionante, avvincente, storicamente dettagliato, L’amore ai tempi della neve trasporta il lettore in un mondo e in un’epoca di grandi passioni, amori e tradimenti.