Catherine Merridale – författare

'A gripping thriller and Belkin is a character many readers will want to encounter again' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Remarkable … If only all first novels were as enthralling as this' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Merridale’s talents as a Russia expert and writer combine to beam light on the depths of Moscow’s underworld' THE SUN Moscow, 1934. When a body is discovered during the construction of the glittering new Moscow subway, Investigator Anton Belkin wants nothing to do with the case. It will mean asking difficult questions of all the wrong people, and Anton has a very personal reason to keep his head down. But he has not reckoned with Vika, his former lover and now influential member of the secret police, who is adamant Anton is the best man for the job.Buried in the tunnels beneath the capital is a dangerous secret, but one entangled in a sticky web of political and personal rivalries, deceptions and betrayals. Soon Anton must choose between his conscience and saving those he loves from the vengeful grip of the Soviet state.___‘Both a brilliant thriller and a historical record of the ambition, terror and deviousness of that black era in Russian history’ Gareth Rubin, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Turnglass

'A gripping thriller and Belkin is a character many readers will want to encounter again' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Remarkable … If only all first novels were as enthralling as this' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Merridale’s talents as a Russia expert and writer combine to beam light on the depths of Moscow’s underworld' THE SUN Moscow, 1934. When a body is discovered during the construction of the glittering new Moscow subway, Investigator Anton Belkin wants nothing to do with the case. It will mean asking difficult questions of all the wrong people, and Anton has a very personal reason to keep his head down. But he has not reckoned with Vika, his former lover and now influential member of the secret police, who is adamant Anton is the best man for the job.Buried in the tunnels beneath the capital is a dangerous secret, but one entangled in a sticky web of political and personal rivalries, deceptions and betrayals. Soon Anton must choose between his conscience and saving those he loves from the vengeful grip of the Soviet state.___‘Both a brilliant thriller and a historical record of the ambition, terror and deviousness of that black era in Russian history’ Gareth Rubin, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Turnglass

'A gripping thriller and Belkin is a character many readers will want to encounter again' THE SUNDAY TIMES'Remarkable ... If only all first novels were as enthralling as this' FINANCIAL TIMES'Merridale's talents as a Russia expert and writer combine to beam light on the depths of Moscow's underworld' THE SUNMoscow, 1934. When a body is discovered during the construction of the glittering new Moscow subway, Investigator Anton Belkin wants nothing to do with the case. It will mean asking difficult questions of all the wrong people, and Anton has a very personal reason to keep his head down. But he has not reckoned with Vika, his former lover and now influential member of the secret police, who is adamant Anton is the best man for the job.Buried in the tunnels beneath the capital is a dangerous secret, but one entangled in a sticky web of political and personal rivalries, deceptions and betrayals. Soon Anton must choose between his conscience and saving those he loves from the vengeful grip of the Soviet state.___'Both a brilliant thriller and a historical record of the ambition, terror and deviousness of that black era in Russian history' Gareth Rubin, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Turnglass

'A gripping thriller and Belkin is a character many readers will want to encounter again' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Remarkable … If only all first novels were as enthralling as this' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Merridale’s talents as a Russia expert and writer combine to beam light on the depths of Moscow’s underworld' THE SUN Moscow, 1934. When a body is discovered during the construction of the glittering new Moscow subway, Investigator Anton Belkin wants nothing to do with the case. It will mean asking difficult questions of all the wrong people, and Anton has a very personal reason to keep his head down. But he has not reckoned with Vika, his former lover and now influential member of the secret police, who is adamant Anton is the best man for the job.Buried in the tunnels beneath the capital is a dangerous secret, but one entangled in a sticky web of political and personal rivalries, deceptions and betrayals. Soon Anton must choose between his conscience and saving those he loves from the vengeful grip of the Soviet state.___‘Both a brilliant thriller and a historical record of the ambition, terror and deviousness of that black era in Russian history’ Gareth Rubin, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Turnglass

December 1934. Moscow is in ferment after the assassination of one of Stalin's closest aides, leading to a wave of new arrests and summary executions. Investigator Anton Belkin already thinks he is close to breaking point, when his close friend, the chef Misha Kazakov, is arrested on a trumped-up charge of attempted assassination by poisoning of a senior Moscow official. For Anton the question isn't whether Misha is guilty, but why the secret police want him out of the way.And with Anton's father, a dissenting artist, attracting attention in all the wrong ways, whether Anton can save Misha without becoming ensnared in the ever-more tangled web of conspiracy around him.

December 1934. Moscow is in ferment after the assassination of one of Stalin's closest aides, leading to a wave of new arrests and summary executions. Investigator Anton Belkin already thinks he is close to breaking point, when his close friend, the chef Misha Kazakov, is arrested on a trumped-up charge of attempted assassination by poisoning of a senior Moscow official. For Anton the question isn't whether Misha is guilty, but why the secret police want him out of the way.And with Anton's father, a dissenting artist, attracting attention in all the wrong ways, whether Anton can save Misha without becoming ensnared in the ever-more tangled web of conspiracy around him.

WINNER OF THE WOLFSON PRIZE 2013HERALD BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2014The extraordinary story of the Kremlin - from prize-winning author and historian Catherine MerridaleBoth beautiful and profoundly menacing, the Kremlin has dominated Moscow for many centuries. Behind its great red walls and towers many of the most startling events in Russia's history have been acted out. It is both a real place and an imaginative idea; a shorthand for a certain kind of secretive power, but also the heart of a specific Russian authenticity. Catherine Merridale's exceptional book revels in both the drama of the Kremlin and its sheer unexpectedness: an impregnable fortress which has repeatedly been devastated, a symbol of all that is Russian substantially created by Italians. The many inhabitants of the Kremlin have continually reshaped it to accord with shifting ideological needs, with buildings conjured up or demolished to conform with the current ruler's social, spiritual, military or regal priorities. In the process, all have claimed to be the heirs of Russia's great historic destiny.

THE TIMES, THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND ECONOMIST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2016'Twice I missed my stop on the Tube reading this book... this is a jewel among histories' David Aaronovitch, The Times'The suberb, funny, fascinating story of Lenin's trans-European rail journey to power and how it shook the world' - Simon Sebag Montefiore, Evening Standard Books of the Year A gripping account of how, in the depths of the First World War, Russia's greatest revolutionary was taken in a 'sealed train' across Europe and changed the history of the worldBy 1917 the European war seemed to be endless. Both sides in the fighting looked to new weapons, tactics and ideas to break a stalemate that was itself destroying Europe. In the German government a small group of men had a brilliant idea: why not sow further confusion in an increasingly chaotic Russia by arranging for Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the most notorious of revolutionary extremists, currently safely bottled up in neutral Switzerland, to go home?Catherine Merridale's Lenin on the Train recreates Lenin's extraordinary journey from harmless exile in Zurich, across a Germany falling to pieces from the war's deprivations, and northwards to the edge of Lapland to his eventual ecstatic reception by the revolutionary crowds at Petrograd's Finland Station.With great skill and insight Merridale weaves the story of the train and its uniquely strange group of passengers with a gripping account of the now half-forgotten liberal Russian revolution and shows how these events intersected. She brilliantly uses a huge range of contemporary eyewitnesses, observing Lenin as he travelled back to a country he had not seen for many years. Many thought he was a mere 'useful idiot', others thought he would rapidly be imprisoned or killed, others that Lenin had in practice few followers and even less influence. They would all prove to be quite wrong.

'The superb, funny, fascinating story of Lenin's trans-European rail journey and how it shook the world' Simon Sebag Montefiore, Evening Standard, Books of the Year'Splendid ... a jewel among histories, taking a single episode from the penultimate year of the Great War, illuminating a continent, a revolution and a series of psychologies in a moment of cataclysm and doing it with wit, judgment and an eye for telling detail' David Aaronovitch, The TimesBy 1917 the European war seemed to be endless. Both sides in the fighting looked to new weapons, tactics and ideas to break a stalemate that was itself destroying Europe. In the German government a small group of men had a brilliant idea: why not sow further confusion in an increasingly chaotic Russia by arranging for Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the most notorious of revolutionary extremists, currently safely bottled up in neutral Switzerland, to go home?Catherine Merridale's Lenin on the Train recreates Lenin's extraordinary journey from harmless exile in Zurich, across a Germany falling to pieces from the war's deprivations, and northwards to the edge of Lapland to his eventual ecstatic reception by the revolutionary crowds at Petrograd's Finland Station.With great skill and insight Merridale weaves the story of the train and its uniquely strange group of passengers with a gripping account of the now half-forgotten liberal Russian revolution and shows how these events intersected. She brilliantly uses a huge range of contemporary eyewitnesses, observing Lenin as he travelled back to a country he had not seen for many years. Many thought he was a mere 'useful idiot', others thought he would rapidly be imprisoned or killed, others that Lenin had in practice few followers and even less influence. They would all prove to be quite wrong.

WINNER OF THE WOLFSON PRIZE 2013The extraordinary story of the Kremlin - from prize-winning author and historian Catherine MerridaleBoth beautiful and profoundly menacing, the Kremlin has dominated Moscow for many centuries. Behind its great red walls and towers many of the most startling events in Russia's history have been acted out. It is both a real place and an imaginative idea; a shorthand for a certain kind of secretive power, but also the heart of a specific Russian authenticity. Catherine Merridale's exceptional book revels in both the drama of the Kremlin and its sheer unexpectedness: an impregnable fortress which has repeatedly been devastated, a symbol of all that is Russian substantially created by Italians. The many inhabitants of the Kremlin have continually reshaped it to accord with shifting ideological needs, with buildings conjured up or demolished to conform with the current ruler's social, spiritual, military or regal priorities. In the process, all have claimed to be the heirs of Russia's great historic destiny.

Focusing on the development of the Communist Party in Moscow between 1925 and 1932 and its ultimate assumption of absolute power. This volume examines in detail the political changes in Moscow, including the crisis over collectivization, and the organization strategy of the Party in Moscow.

'Essential reading, not just for those interested in the Eastern Front, but for anyone who wants to understand Russia.' Antony Beevor, Sunday Times They died in their millions, shattered by German shells and tanks, freezing behind the wire of prison camps, driven forward in suicidal charges by the secret police. Yet in all the books about the Second World War on the eastern front, there is very little about how the Russian soldier lived, dreamed and died.Catherine Merridale's discovery of archives of letters, diaries and police reports have allowed her to write a major history of a figure too often treated as part of a vast mechanical horde. Here are moving and terrible stories of men and women in appalling conditions, many not far from death. They allow us to understand the strange mixture of courage, patriotism, anger and fear that made it possible for these badly fed, dreadfully governed soldiers to defeat the Nazi army that would otherwise have enslaved the whole of Europe. The experience of the soldiers is set against a masterly narrative of the war in Russia. Merridale also shows how the veterans were treated with chilling ingratitude and brutality by Stalin, and later exploited as icons of the Great Patriotic War before being sidelined once more in Putin's new capitalist Russia.

'Essential reading, not just for those interested in the Eastern Front, but for anyone who wants to understand Russia.' Antony Beevor, Sunday Times They died in their millions, shattered by German shells and tanks, freezing behind the wire of prison camps, driven forward in suicidal charges by the secret police. Yet in all the books about the Second World War on the eastern front, there is very little about how the Russian soldier lived, dreamed and died.Catherine Merridale's discovery of archives of letters, diaries and police reports have allowed her to write a major history of a figure too often treated as part of a vast mechanical horde. Here are moving and terrible stories of men and women in appalling conditions, many not far from death. They allow us to understand the strange mixture of courage, patriotism, anger and fear that made it possible for these badly fed, dreadfully governed soldiers to defeat the Nazi army that would otherwise have enslaved the whole of Europe. The experience of the soldiers is set against a masterly narrative of the war in Russia. Merridale also shows how the veterans were treated with chilling ingratitude and brutality by Stalin, and later exploited as icons of the Great Patriotic War before being sidelined once more in Putin's new capitalist Russia.

Focusing on the development of the Communist Party in Moscow between 1925 and 1932 and its ultimate assumption of absolute power. This volume examines in detail the political changes in Moscow, including the crisis over collectivization, and the organization strategy of the Party in Moscow.

Focusing on the development of the Communist Party in Moscow between 1925 and 1932 and its ultimate assumption of absolute power. This volume examines in detail the political changes in Moscow, including the crisis over collectivization, and the organization strategy of the Party in Moscow.

Eine packende neue Geschichte Russlands – über 500 Jahre Herrschaft und Macht im Kreml, von Iwan dem Schrecklichen bis Wladimir PutinDer Kreml ist das imposante Symbol der russischen Nation. Hier wurden die mächtigen Zaren gekrönt, hier paradierte die glorreiche Rote Armee nach dem Sieg über Deutschland. Im Kreml schlägt das Herz der russischen Macht, hier entscheidet sich Russlands Schicksal. Die bedeutende Historikerin Catherine Merridale erzählt die faszinierende Geschichte des Kreml mit all ihren Intrigen und blutigen Kämpfen um die Macht. Indem sie das verborgene Innere des russischen Staates freilegt, ermöglicht Catherine Merridale uns ein neues Verständnis der bewegten Geschichte Russlands bis in die Gegenwart.

In »Lenins Zug. Die Reise in die Revolution« erzählt die große britische Historikerin Catherine Merridale fulminant die Geschichte der berühmtesten Zugfahrt der Weltgeschichte, an deren Ende das Zarenreich unterging und die Sowjetunion entstand.Als 1917 der Erste Weltkrieg endlos zu werden drohte, beschloss die deutsche Regierung, den Revolutionär Wladimir Iljitsch Lenin nach Russland zu schmuggeln – nicht ahnend, dass Lenins Fahrt im plombierten Waggon in die weltstürzende Oktoberrevolution münden würde. Spannend schildert sie eine Welt, die wir sonst nur aus Spionageromanen kennen: Agenten in teuren Hotels, Diplomaten auf glattem Parkett, debattierende Exil-Revolutionäre in verrauchten Cafés – und draußen auf den Straßen St. Petersburgs marschieren die streikenden Fabrikarbeiter. Sie sind es, die Lenin schließlich jubelnd in einem Meer roter Fahnen in St. Petersburg empfangen. Tag für Tag beschreibt Catherine Merridale den Sog der Ereignisse und die Träume und Taten der Menschen, die sie in Gang setzten oder von ihnen mitgerissen wurden. Eine grandiose Erzählung, die den Moment einfängt, als Lenin triumphierte – und eine neue, blutige Ära begann, die für Europa und die Welt bis heute nicht ganz vergangen ist.

»Enastående skildring … sätter in Putin och hans land i ett rikt och varierat sammanhang.« The Independent »Merridale är historiker till yrket, men hon är skarpsynt som en kriminalare och sinnrik som en romanförfattare.« The Economist »Kreml anknyter till viktiga händelser idag … 800 år av rysk historia på ett lättfattligt och bra sätt … vilket gör boken väldigt unik.« Magnus Utvik, Gomorron Sverige Högaktuell skildring av Kremls fascinerande historia! Det vilar ett skimmer av mystik och myt kring Kreml. Under 800 år har denna del av Moskva varit den främsta symbolen för makt och rikedom i Ryssland. Genom utflykter i Rysslands dramatiska och blodiga historia beskriver Catherine Merridale hur Kreml har förändrats under århundradena för att bli den turistmagnet det är idag. Merridale ger en fascinerande resumé av alla viktiga händelser i den ryska historien: som exempelvis Ivan den förskräckliges härjningar, den falske Dimitrijs bondfångeri, den stora oredans tid, Peter den stores eskapader, Napoleons besök och tyskarnas belägring på 1940-talet. Prisbelönta och kritikerrosade författaren Catherine Merridale är professor i historia vid Londons universitet. Hon har tidigare haft stora framgångar med Ivans krig (2010) som beskrev livet som soldat i Röda armén.

En oförglömlig resa i Lenins spår! Upptakten till revolutionen 1917. Lenin befann sig i landsflykt i det neutrala Schweiz när han fick veta att den ryske tsaren blivit avsatt. Han bestämde sig genast för att återvända till sitt hemland. Detta blev startskottet för en händelsekedja som skulle komma att avgöra ryska revolutionen. I Lenins resa skildrar Catherine Merridale upptakten till ryska revolutionen genom att berätta om Lenins resa genom Europa till Ryssland mitt under brinnande världskrig

”Ivan” var det gemensamma smeknamnet på de sovjetiska soldaterna under andra världskriget. Enligt beräkning stupade omkring 8,6 miljoner sovjetiska soldater under andra världskriget, nästan en tredjedel av alla som tjänstgjorde i Röda armén – de amerikanska och brittiska förlusterna i Europa uppgick till cirka 300 000 respektive 250 000. Hur kunde Sovjetunionens undernärda och dåligt ledda soldater besegra Hitlertyskland trots allt detta lidande? Även om de flesta historiker idag är eniga om att andra världskriget mer eller mindre avgjordes på östfronten så vet man inte mycket om Ivans villkor före, under och efter kriget. I Ivans krig ger författaren Catherine Merridale människorna i Röda armén ett ansikte, med hjälp av ett hundratal intervjuer med veteraner eller deras efterlevande. Resultatet är en unik skildring av andra världskriget.