The quote featured on the jacket regarding Matthews' inspiration for
Stalin's Children is extremely appropriate and neatly summarizes the
book's intent. Matthews succeeds admirably in his goal of describing his
family's journey from Russia to England and back again, in the process
crafting a fascinating history that reads more like a novel than a work of
non-fiction.Beyond the Book
The History of Russia & The Soviet Union during the first half of the
20th CenturyThe history of Russia and the Soviet Union during the first half of the 20th century is complex to say the least, characterized by near-constant turmoil. The autocratic reign of the Tsars came to an end in 1917, sparked by economic hardship instigated by Russia's involvement in World War I, rapid urban growth, and the rise of the middle class. Various political parties emerged to vie for leadership in the ensuing vacuum, with the Bolshevik Party led by Vladimir Lenin ultimately prevailing. Lenin's death in 1924 led to a power struggle which left party leadership in the hands of Joseph Stalin.
Stalin's policy of aggressive...
