St. Petersburg : madness, murder, and art on the banks of the Neva

From Peter the Great to Putin, this is the unforgettable story of St Petersburg—one of the most magical, menacing, and influential cities in the world. St. Petersburg has always felt like an impossible metropolis, risen from the freezing mists and flooded marshland of the River Neva on the western edge of Russia. It was a new capital in an old country. Established in 1703 by the sheer will of its charismatic founder, the homicidal megalomaniac Peter the Great, its dazzling yet unhinged reputation was quickly cemented by the sadistic dominion of its early rulers. This city, in its successive incarnations—St. Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad and, once again, St. Petersburg—has always been a place of perpetual contradiction. It was a window to Europe and the Enlightenment, but so much of Russia's unique glory was also created here: its literature, music, dance and, for a time, its political vision. It gave birth to the artistic genius of Pushkin... Number of Words in Auth: 2 Formats : EPUB Number of Formats : 1 Has Cover : Yes Single Author : Jonathan Miles Original Source : Mirc New Files 03 10 Sorted Author by LN, FN: Miles, Jonathan Title Length : 014 Title Parm D : St. Petersburg Title Parm F : St. Petersburg Num of Aut : 1 Title Parm B : ( Record ID : 2416 Uncomma Author : Jonathan Miles Title Parm A : St. Petersburg St. Petersburg has always felt like an impossible metropolis, risen from the freezing mists and flooded marshland of the River Neva on the western edge of Russia. It was a new capital in an old country. Established in 1703 by the sheer will of its charismatic founder, the homicidal megalomaniac Peter the Great, its dazzling yet unhinged reputation was quickly cemented by the sadistic dominion of its early rulers. This city, in its successive incarnations―St. Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad and, once again, St. Petersburg―has always been a place of perpetual contradiction. It was a window to Europe and the Enlightenment, but so much of Russia’s unique glory was also created here: its literature, music, dance and, for a time, its political vision. It gave birth to the artistic genius of Pushkin and Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, Pavlova and Nureyev. Yet, for all its glittering palaces, fairytale balls and enchanting gardens, the blood of thousands has been spilt on its snow-filled streets. It has been a hotbed of war and revolution, a place of siege and starvation, and the crucible for Lenin and Stalin’s power-hungry brutality. In St. Petersburg, Jonathan Miles recreates the drama of three hundred years in this paradoxical and brilliant city, bringing us up to the present day, when its fate hangs in the balance once more. This is an epic tale of murder, massacre and madness played out against squalor and splendor, and an unforgettable portrait of a city and its people St. Petersburg Has Always Felt Like An Impossible Metropolis, Rising From The Freezing Mists And Flooded Marshland Of The River Neva On The Western Edge Of Russia. It Was A New Capital In An Old Country. Established In 1703 By The Sheer Will Of Its Charismatic Founder, The Homicidal Megalomaniac Peter The Great, Its Dazzling Yet Unhinged Reputation Was Quickly Cemented By The Sadistic Dominion Of Its Early Rulers. This City, In Is Successive Incarnations - St. Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad And, Once Again, St. Petersburg - Has Been A Place Of Perpetual Contradiction. The City Was A Window To Europe And The Enlightenment, But So Much Of Russia's Unique Glory Was Also Created Here: Its Literature, Music, Dance And, For A Time, Its Political Vision. It Gave Birth To The Artistic Genius Of Pushkin And Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky And Shostakovich, Pavlova And Nureyev. Yet, For All Its Glittering Palaces, Fairytale Balls, And Enchanting Gardens, The Blood Of Thousands Has Been Spilled On Its Snow-filled Streets. The City Has Been A Hotbed Of War And Revolution, A Place Of Siege And Starvation, And The Crucible For Lenin And Stalin's Power-hungry Brutality. In This Volume, The Author Recreates The Drama Of Three Hundred Years In This Paradoxical And Brilliant City, Bringing The Reader Up To The Present Day, When Its Fate Hangs In The Balance Once More. This Is An Epic Tale Of Murder, Massacre And Madness Played Out Against An Unforgettable Portrait Of A City And Its People. Established in 1703 by the sheer will of its charismatic founder, the homicidal megalomaniac Peter the Great, St. Petersburg's dazzling yet unhinged reputation was quickly cemented by the sadistic dominion of its early rulers. This city, in its successive incarnations—St. Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad and, once again, St. Petersburg—has always been a place of perpetual contradiction.It was a window to Europe and the Enlightenment, but so much of Russia's unique glory was also created here: its literature, music, dance, and, for a time, its political vision. It gave birth to the artistic genius of Pushkin and Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, Pavlova and Nureyev. Yet, for all its glittering palaces, fairytale balls and enchanting gardens, the blood of thousands has been spilt on its snow-filled streets.It has been a hotbed of war and revolution, a place of siege and starvation, and the crucible for Lenin and Stalin's power-hungry brutality. In St. Petersburg, Jonathan Miles recreates the drama of three hundred years in this paradoxical and brilliant city, bringing us up to the present day, when its fate hangs in the balance once more. Twilight on the Nevsky 1993 Part I. Emperors 1698-1825 Havoc in London Dangerous acceleration Oblivion and rebirth Dancing, love-making, drink The city transformed Madness, murder, and insurrection Part II. Subjects 1825-1917 A new kind of cold Discontent Dancing on the edge Dazzle and despair Part III. Comrades & citizens 1917-2017 Red Petrograd A city diminished Darkest and finest hour Murmurs from the underground Broken windows onto the West Mirage 2017.