Mafia
Eine globale Geschichte des organisierten Verbrechens | Ursprünge und Entwicklung der Mafia, von Syndikaten, Gangs und Kartellen
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Simon Sebag Montefiore is een wereldwijd bestsellerauteur die historische nauwkeurigheid meesterlijk combineert met een meeslepende vertelstijl. Zijn werken duiken in de diepten van de menselijke natuur en verkennen complexe relaties en morele dilemma's tegen de achtergrond van cruciale historische momenten. Montefiore's stijl wordt gekenmerkt door spannende plots, levendige personages en het vermogen om een breed spectrum aan emoties op te roepen, van gepassioneerde liefde tot ijzingwekkende angst. Zijn schrijven, vaak vergeleken met dat van Tolstoj, biedt lezers een uniek perspectief op de geschiedenis dat zowel verhelderend als diep ontroerend is.







Eine globale Geschichte des organisierten Verbrechens | Ursprünge und Entwicklung der Mafia, von Syndikaten, Gangs und Kartellen
»Sein Verfahren eröffnet eine tatsächlich neue Sicht auf die Geschichte.« Stephan Wackwitz, Die Zeit Die Bonapartes, Rothschilds, die Hohenzollern und die Krupps, die Churchills, Kennedys und die Trumps – mächtigen Familien repräsentieren die gesamte Bandbreite menschlichen Strebens, mit blutigen Nachfolgekämpfen, verräterischen Verschwörungen und schockierendem Größenwahn neben blühender Kultur, bewegenden Romanzen und aufgeklärter Wohltätigkeit. Dramatisch, ungeschönt und ergreifend lässt der Autor Weltgeschichte intensiv erleben – großartig als überwältigende Vision und ganz intim in den seltenen Augenblicken, an denen die Geschichte stillzustehen scheint. »Die große Leistung des Autors besteht darin, uns die Welt aus einem ganz anderen Blickwinkel sehen zu lassen – das Unbekannte vertraut zu machen und, was noch wichtiger ist, das Vertraute ungewohnt.« The Spectator »Einen umfassenden wie außerordentlich lesbaren und kurzweiligen Ansatz hat der britische Historiker Simon Sebag Montefiore in seinem neuen Buch ›Die Welt‹ vorgelegt« Berthold Seewald, Die Welt »[E]in opulentes Potpourri brutaler, saftiger, bluttriefender, konfliktgetränkter, absurder und zum Teil kurioser Geschichten.« Günter Kaindlstorfer, Deutschlandfunk
Vom Neandertaler bis Mozart
»Dieses Buch hat Persönlichkeit und eine Seele. Es ist enorm unterhaltsam.« Gerard DeGroot, The Times Mit der ersten Familie beginnt die Menschheit. Individuen und ihre Familien machen Geschichte und ihre Dynastien formen – bis heute – die Weltgeschichte. Simon Sebag Montefiore inszeniert in diesem Band unsere Weltgeschichte als Familien- und Gesellschaftsdrama von den Neandertalern, den Pharaonen, Hethitern und Assyrern bis zu den Königen der Perser, von Nofretete, Kleopatra, Cäsar bis zu den Medici und den Habsburgern. Noch nie wurde die Familien-Weltgeschichte so vielschichtig entfaltet, so mitreißend erzählt. »Streckenweise liest es sich wie eine Netflix-Serie mit Sex und Crime.« Michael Brackmann, Handelsblatt »Eine großartig erzählte Weltgeschichte, die stets einen Riesenkrach in den Familien garantiert.« Michael Hesse, Frankfurter Rundschau »So etwas hat man noch nicht gelesen: eine Geschichte der Menschheit, die auf allen Kontinenten spielt, erzählt aus der Perspektive von Familien, Clans und Dynastien.« Peer Teuwsen, NZZ am Sonntag »Eine umwerfende Leistung« James Walton, Daily Telegraph
A thrilling, epic and original history of humanity from a dazzlingly fresh and global perspective, from the prize-winning, bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore.
A collection of history's greatest speeches, with commentary from internationally bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore. Updated with new speeches from John Boyega, Queen Elizabeth II and others.
1613-1918: A Romanov-dinasztia vérrel, szexszel és könnyekkel teli történetének lenyűgöző krónikája
Gerenommeerd historicus Simon Sebag Montefiore selecteerde ruim honderd brieven, van de oudheid tot de eenentwintigste eeuw. In deze Nederlandse editie zijn brieven van bekende Nederlanders en Vlamingen toegevoegd door Simon Sebag Montefiore. Sommige zijn moedig en inspirerend, andere verwerpelijk en schokkend, sommige zijn literaire parels, weer andere wreed, grof en schaamteloos, vele zijn erotisch of hartverscheurend. De schrijvers variëren van koningin Elizabeth I, Ramses II en Leonard Cohen tot Nelson Mandela, Stalin, Michelangelo, Süleyman de Grote en gewone mensen in uitzonderlijke omstandigheden. Van liefdesbrieven tot oproepen tot invrijheidstelling, oorlogsverklaringen en overpeinzingen over de dood. Op kleurrijke wijze en met zijn kenmerkend heldere stijl, brengt meesterverteller Montefiore de personages uit de brieven moeiteloos tot leven. Hij laat ons zien waarom zij stuk voor stuk uitzonderlijk zijn, en kleur geven aan het verleden en ons leven nu nog altijd verrijken.
The second in this exciting new series for younger readers from the international bestselling authors Santa and Sebag Montefiore, illustrated by sought-after illustrator Kate Hindley.
Een meeslepend verhaal over passie, moed en overlevingsdrang Meesterlijk geschreven roman van de hand van een gelauwerd historicus, voor de lezers van Sebastian Faulks en Hilary Mantel De geschiedenis komt tot leven in het schitterende drieluik Sashenka, Een koude winternacht en nu De rode dageraad De zwarte aarde dampte al, terwijl de zon nog maar net was opgekomen. De mannen klommen op hun paarden en reden over de steppe, in de richting van de vuurrode horizon. Benya Golden is gevangengezet in de goelag voor een misdaad die hij niet heeft begaan. Hij sluit zich aan bij een strafbataljon, opgebouwd uit kozakken en veroordeelden, om te helpen de nazi's te bevechten. Benya tekent bij de Russische cavalerie, en op een hete dag in juli 1942 wordt hij achter de vijandelijke linies gedropt. Maar wie kan hij vertrouwen in deze hel, deze haast onmenselijke periode in de geschiedenis? De rode dageraad is het magistrale verhaal van een gewone man, Benya, zijn strijd op de steppes van Zuid-Rusland en zijn intense liefde voor een Italiaanse verpleegster. Daarnaast biedt het een ongekende inkijk in de plannen van Stalin zelf in het Kremlin, en de romance tussen zijn dochter en een journalist aan het oostfront. De personages worden op meesterlijke wijze vervlochten met de geschiedenis en vormen zo een prachtig meeslepend boek over passie, moed en overlevingsdrang.
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 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 of London 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? The Hobbit meets Fantastic Mr Fox meets Watership Down in this charming novel from bestselling authors Santa and Sebag Montefiore, which proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero.
The acclaimed author of Young Stalin presents an accessible and lively account of the extraordinary rulers of Russia over three centuries, drawing on new archival material. This chronicle highlights the complex emperors and empresses of the Romanov dynasty (1613-1917), examining the dynamics of their courts and the interplay of personality and power. By exploring archives that became available after the USSR's fall, the author reveals the realities behind storied rulers like Catherine the Great and Nicholas II, along with lesser-known figures such as Elizaveta, daughter of Peter the Great, and Alexander II, known for his scandalous affairs. The narrative illuminates the eighteenth-century Age of the Imperial Petticoat and the remarkable political-amorous partnership between Catherine the Great and Prince Potemkin. It also uncovers the decadence and folly often obscured in the romanticized portrayal of Nicholas II, the last Tsar. With a strong scholarly foundation, this work is both informative and entertaining, showcasing the author's storytelling prowess and historical insight.
Moscow 1945. As Stalin celebrates victory over Hitler, shots ring out. The children of Russia's most important leaders are dead. Is it murder? A suicide pact? Or a conspiracy? An investigation begins and children are arrested, forced to testify against their friends - and their parents. This is an epic tale of youth, love and betrayal in Stalinist Russia, from the author of SASHENKA.
This book contains over 50 momentous and thought-provoking speeches from a wide range of historical eras and nations that will inspire readers and give them a greater understanding of events of the time. Each speech is accompanied by a comprehensive introduction that explains its historical background, why it was significant and what happened as a result.
Jerusalem, the universal city and capital of two peoples, is a sacred site for three faiths and a focal point of empires and modern conflicts. Spanning 3,000 years, its history intertwines faith, violence, fanaticism, and coexistence. From its origins with King David to contemporary figures like Barack Obama, the narrative explores how this small town evolved into the Holy City and a key to Middle Eastern peace. Through a vivid recounting, Simon Sebag Montefiore brings to life the city's transformations and the influential figures who shaped it—kings, prophets, poets, and everyday citizens alike. The story features a diverse cast, including Solomon, Saladin, and Suleiman the Magnificent, alongside historical figures like Cleopatra, Caligula, and Churchill, as well as Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad. It traverses the ancient world with figures like Jezebel and Nebuchadnezzar to modern personalities such as the Kaiser and Lawrence of Arabia. Utilizing new archives and a wealth of scholarship, Montefiore delves into the city's essence, exploring themes of sanctity, identity, and empire. This narrative reveals how Jerusalem became a unique city, existing simultaneously in heaven and on earth.
Kniha Judo je užitečný průvodce historií, filozofií a vývojem, základními prvky a technikami, zásadami chování i vhodného oděvu, obrannými technikami, základními pojmy, ale i adresami národních asociací judu z celého světa.
První významné a zaznamenané projevy jsou spojeny s biblickým obdobím. Čtenář má možnost přenést se na Sinaj, kde Mojžíš předložil Židům desatero božích přikázání nebo prožít atmosféru Ježíšova slavného Kázání na hoře. Spolu s Karlem I. a Oliverem Cromwellem opět prožije emotivní období anglické revoluce či období velkolepého budování nového amerického národa, které nám zprostředkují George Washington a Thomas Jefferson. Spolu s Abrahamem Lincolnem, Martinem Lutherem Kingem, Nelsonem Mandelou si opět připomeneme nezbytnost rasové tolerance, skutečnost, že všichni lidé se rodí sobě rovni bez ohledu na barvu pleti, pohlaví či náboženského vyznání. S tím úzce souvisí přesvědčení, že největší lidskou touhou je touha po svobodě (Jan Pavel II., Nelson Mandela, Václav Havel) a odhodlání nežít v porobě (Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle). Od chvíle, kdy se člověk naučil mluvit a zvláště poté, co vynalezl písmo, mají jazyk i pero mnohdy sílu meče. Slova moudrých lidí mají schopnost inspirovat, ukazovat cestu, poskytovat útěchu a povzbuzení či ztělesnit přání a touhy mnoha lidí. Mohou přinášet morální zásady a inspiraci pro dobrý život, vyjádřit odhodlanou vůli toho, kdo je pronáší, povzbudit ke statečnému boji za vznešené ideály, vést k lepšímu životu ve vzájemné toleranci a úctě, ale nemusí vždy vést k prosazování dobra, nýbrž i k šíření zla. Můžeme z nich vyčíst atmosféru doby, povahové rysy autora i očekávání jeho posluchačstva.
Winter, 1916: In St Petersburg, Russia on the brink of revolution. Outside the Smolny Institute for Noble Young Ladies, an English governess is waiting for her young charge to be released from school. But so are the Tsar’s secret police… Beautiful and headstrong, Sashenka Zeitlin is just sixteen. As her mother parties with Rasputin and her dissolute friends, Sashenka slips into the frozen night to play her part in a dangerous game of conspiracy and seduction. Twenty years on, Sashenka has a powerful husband with whom she has two children. Around her people are disappearing, but her own family is safe. But she's about to embark on a forbidden love affair 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 heart-breaking tale of passion and betrayal, savage cruelty and unexpected heroism - and one woman forced to make an unbearable choice.
'Monsters' presents, in chronological order, grimly fascinating profiles of 101 notorious and profoundly sinister individuals whose actions have one thing in common - they have had a baleful and blood-soaked impact on the annals of world history
Publikace 101 světových hrdinů je promyšleně sestavenou sbírkou příběhů a postav, které bychom měli všichni znát. Osobnosti, které byly do knihy zařazeny, spojují jejich hrdinské činy. Autor nepředpokládá že čtenáři budou s jeho výběrem hrdinů souhlasit, ale doufá, že jim kniha přinese zábavu i poučení. Nezabývá se pouze známými historickými fakty, ale všímá si také povahových zvláštností jednotlivých osobností a zabývá se nečekanými historickými souvislostmi. Pohlíží na hrdinství neotřelým způsobem, neboť za hrdiny považuje především ty, kteří jsou ochotni přijímat rizika nejen kvůli vlastní slávě, ale třeba proto, aby chránili slabší.
In 1945, two and a half million people were forced out of Germanys most easterly province, East Prussia, and in particular its capital, Königsberg. Their flight was a direct result of Hitlers ill-fated decision to invade the Soviet Union in 1941. The horrors of Leningrad and Stalingrad were to be avenged by an army determined not only to invade Germany but to take over its eastern-frontier territories. The Russians launched Operation Bagration in June 1944, to coincide with the D-Day landings. As US and British forces pushed west the Russians liberated Eastern Europe and made their first attacks in the autumn of 1944. Königsberg itself was badly damaged by two British air raids at the end of August 1944, and the main offensive against the city by the Red Army began in January 1945. The depleted and poorly armed German army could do little to hold it back, and by the end of January East Prussia was cut off. The Russians exacted a terrible revenge on the civilian population, who were forced to flee across the freezing Baltic coast in an attempt to escape. On April 9, the city surrendered to the Russians after a four-day onslaught. Through first-hand accounts as well as archival material, Königsberg 1945: The Annihilation of Hitler's Fortress City tells the dramatic story of a place and its people that bore the brunt of Russia's vengeance against the Nazi regime. It is Isabel Denny's first book.
Heroes is a selection of the ultimate heroes and heroines from world history. Informing, entertaining and inspiring these are texts that are suitable for readers of all ages. A treasure trove of the greatest stories of courage and achievement ever recorded, a collection of lives, deeds and events that everyone should know -and no one should forget. [back cover].
Based on ten years' astonishing new research, here is the thrilling story of how a charismatic, dangerous boy became a student priest, romantic poet, gangster mastermind, prolific lover, murderous revolutionary, and the merciless politician who shaped the Soviet Empire in his own brutal image: How Stalin became Stalin.
Through the centuries, Russia has swung between successful expansionism, catastrophic collapse and spectacular recovery. This accessible history traces these cycles from the late Neolithic age to Ivan the Terrible, and from the height of Communism to the truncated Russian Federation of today.
This updated collection features numerous impactful speeches, including Earl Spencer's tribute to Diana, Nikita Khrushchev's 1956 address marking the decline of Stalinist Russia, Patrick Pearse's stirring funeral oration that ignited the Easter Rising, Kevin Rudd's apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples, and Barack Obama's historic election night victory speech. It also showcases powerful orations from Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King's iconic "I have a dream" and "I've seen the promised land," JFK's inspiring words, and Nelson Mandela's passionate speeches—one during his 1964 trial and another upon becoming South Africa's president in 1994. Historic addresses from figures such as Elizabeth I, Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Abraham Lincoln, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mahatma Gandhi, and others are included. This anthology presents over 50 significant speeches that have shaped history, accompanied by brief biographies of each speaker and context regarding the importance of their orations and the outcomes that followed. It offers a compelling narrative of history through the lens of its most powerful speeches.
Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson, Duff Cooper and Marsh Biography prizes It is one of the great love stories of history, and one of its most successful political partnerships. Catherine the Great was a woman of notorious passion and imperial ambition, perhaps the greatest of the Romanovs. Prince Potemkin - wildly flamboyant and sublimely talented - was the love of her life and her co-ruler. Together they seized Ukraine and Crimea and founded cities such as Sebastopol, defining the Russian empire to this day. Their affair was so tumultuous they negotiated an arrangement to share power, leaving Potemkin free to love his beautiful nieces, Catherine her young male favourites. But these 'twin souls' never stopped loving each other. Drawing on their intimate letters and vast new research from St Petersburg to Odessa, Simon Sebag Montefiore's enthralling, much-acclaimed biography restores these imperial partners to their rightful place as titans of their age.
Het hof van de rode tsaar
'Dit buitengewoon onthullende boek zal de historische blik op Stalins regime voor altijd veranderen.' Orlando Figes Wat weten we eigenlijk over Stalin als dictator en massamoordenaar? Hoe was hij als mens? Wat speelde zich af binnen de muren van het Kremlin tijdens zijn regime? Montefiore schetst een huiveringwekkend beeld van Stalin en het dagelijks leven in en rond het Kremlin. Gebaseerd op een schat uit opengestelde archieven: dagboeken, brieven en aantekeningen van zowel de dicator als de mensen om hem heen. 'Fascinerend boek. Buitengewoon... onvergetelijk.' Antony Beevor 'Een meeslepend boek.' NRC Handelsblad
Prince Grigory Potemkin was Catherine the Great's lover, secret husband, and co-ruler of the Russian Empire. Their tumultuous affair led to a unique arrangement that allowed them to share power while pursuing other romantic interests, yet their love for each other remained unwavering. Potemkin was an exceptional statesman, credited with winning the Crimea, founding the Black Sea Fleet, reforming the Cossacks, and planning cities like Sebastopol and Odessa, thus elevating Russia as a Near Eastern power. He embodied the duality of Russia—volatile yet charming, handsome, and always surprising. His extravagant lifestyle captivated and scandalized Europe, though he often dismissed his own achievements. Surrounded by a cosmopolitan court that included notable Americans like Admiral John Paul Jones, Potemkin's influence extended beyond Russia. An avid Anglophile, he commissioned works from Joshua Reynolds and created English gardens during his travels. In 1787, he orchestrated a lavish river tour for Catherine in Crimea, likened to Cleopatra's grand processions. His detractors accused him of staging "Potemkin villages," a myth this biography dispels through extensive research. It vividly portrays Potemkin's loving partnership with Catherine and reinstates him as a significant figure of the eighteenth century. Upon his death, Catherine mourned deeply, declaring that there could never be another like him.
History's greatest love story, Catherine the Great and Potemkin is a sweeping epic of sex, love, power, conquest and extravagance on a magnificent Russian scale. Not only was only was their romance wildly passionate but they were also probably the most successful political partnership of all, outstripping Antony and Cleopatra or Napoleon and Josephine. Their secret letters, which discuss other lovers, sex, wars, politics, arts and health, are surely the most intimate and extraordinary ever written by an empress or politician.