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The Root Cellar
The Jewish pogroms in Russia had taught Josif to fear for his life. As a boy, the only safe place for him was the root cellar in the backyard where he would sit in the darkness and wait until he could emerge into the light again. His journey through the turmoil of the early 20th century leads him to question life's deepest mysteries, and he realizes that his cultural identity as a Jew was not what defined his life, it was his fear.
This historical novel traces Josif's journey from rural Russia to Alamogordo, New Mexico where he joins an elite group of nuclear physicists working on the Manhattan project.
At the heart of the novel is the question that we all ponder: who are we? His path to self-discovery takes unexpected turns and twists that challenge his deepest understanding of human survival and ultimately the ties that bind us through love.
The historical backdrop to the novel is the end of the Romanov dynasty, which was followed by the chaos of the Communist revolution and the Second World War as it played out in Russia.
This is a thought provoking novel in which the main character, Josif, questions religion and beliefs in a very profound, sensitive manner.
This historical novel traces Josif's journey from rural Russia to Alamogordo, New Mexico where he joins an elite group of nuclear physicists working on the Manhattan project.
At the heart of the novel is the question that we all ponder: who are we? His path to self-discovery takes unexpected turns and twists that challenge his deepest understanding of human survival and ultimately the ties that bind us through love.
The historical backdrop to the novel is the end of the Romanov dynasty, which was followed by the chaos of the Communist revolution and the Second World War as it played out in Russia.
This is a thought provoking novel in which the main character, Josif, questions religion and beliefs in a very profound, sensitive manner.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 10, 2021
Deeply entertaining
We read and watch Josif grow up to take full advantage of his gifts and transform the world. Through his adventures in life, he meets remarkable people, both good and bad. He grows up and is able to use his gift of mathematics to push himself ahead and focus on what is dear to him. I enjoyed the book because I didn't know where it was going and it ended up a great read because it is so full of life and the small details that make it interesting. Written very well and thoroughly researched, I highly recommend it.
We read and watch Josif grow up to take full advantage of his gifts and transform the world. Through his adventures in life, he meets remarkable people, both good and bad. He grows up and is able to use his gift of mathematics to push himself ahead and focus on what is dear to him. I enjoyed the book because I didn't know where it was going and it ended up a great read because it is so full of life and the small details that make it interesting. Written very well and thoroughly researched, I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review