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9781609521974

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In a vividly intense and personal saga, Tania Romanov transcends the societal differences of old Mother Russia, bringing to life our determined grandparents and the pain history dealt them. Her story weaves through our shared Russian heritage to a uniquely American immigrant experience which broke the barriers of class structure. It stirred such powerful emotions that I had to occasionally just put the book down and let them sweep through me. -Marina Romanov, grandniece of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia Romanov has situated her absorbing story exactly at the intersection of history and memoir. We see a tapestry of monumental events stretching from the last days of Tzarist rule in Russia through tumults of war and revolution to the near-destruction of an entire people, the Don Cossacks. But we see this vast story as a fabric woven of individual lives: the private stories of vividly realized characters, picking their way through history. It's a wonderful read. -Tamim Ansary, author of West of Kabul, East of New York and Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes In this wonderfully written, intensely personal recap of a complicated history, Tania Romanov paints a beautiful portrait of family and immigrant life here and in war-torn Europe. From her poetic descriptions of Russian celebrations to the bittersweet memories of her father's photography at the refugee camp where her family was held for years, she creates a sweeping narrative full of darkness, light, and beauty. -Linda Watanabe McFerrin, author of Navigating the Divide and Dead Love One Hundred Years of Exile is travelogue, history lesson, personal journey rolled into one, and a riveting read. Tania Romanov not only introduces a cast of characters as fascinating and complex (and with such names!) as those of Tolstoy, but in telling a private story also makes real the overwhelming march of Russia from the 20th century to today. Rebellions, world wars, Red vs. White Russians, revolution-from the toppling and assassination of a Tsar to the genocide of whole peoples, including the Cossacks from whom she descended-Bolshevism to Communism to the post-Soviet Union Russia, the story unfolds through the lives of those who lived it. In the end, we are left not only enlightened, but with compelling questions about our own 'creation myths' and the meaning of family. -Joanna Biggar, author of That Paris Year and Melanie's Song

Author Information

Tania Romanov Amochaev is the author of Mother Tongue: A Saga of Three Generations of Balkan Women and Never a Stranger, a collection of travel essays. She has won Solas Awards for her stories, and her work has been featured in multiple travel anthologies, including the Best Travel Writing series. Born in the former Yugoslavia, Tania fled the country and spent her childhood in a refugee camp in Trieste, Italy, before immigrating to the United States. Tania attended San Francisco public schools, and grew up in the city's Russian community. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Tania forged a successful business career in high tech, serving as CEO of three companies. She also earned an MS in Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and received an honorary PhD from Saint Catherine University. Tania lives in San Francisco and Sonoma County.

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