THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! THE SCOPE OF THE WORK IS SO VAST - FROM AMERICA TO THE URALS VIA ST PETERSBERG AND BACK - YET IT IS ALSO A SIMPLE STORY OF LOVE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE.THE STORYTELLING ALSO BENEFITS FROM THE AUTHORS MANY MONTHS OF RESEARCH INTO HER SUBJECT. THE DESCRIPTIONS OF RUSSIA AND OF HER WAR ARE BREATHTAKING AND REALLY TAKES THE READER BACK IN TIME.IF YOU NEVER READ ANOTHER BOOK, READ THIS ON!