New 06.25.05

Barb Nelson wrote about a book she was impressed by. It was quite a long time ago, but this note didn't get lost. It's just been waiting for me to finish this issue. Here's what Barb wrote: If you are fond of historical fiction, The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander is one you do not want to miss. For our summer read, my book club tackled Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert Massie. This piece left us more educated about the Russian czar and his time of rule, but left us wanting more. The Kitchen Boy was it! Even though you know what is going to happen (the gruesome, awful murder of the royal family and their loyal servants), the book held our interest while describing the last days at The House of Special Purpose. We kept the pages turning through some unexpected twists to the very last page. This book is a must read if you are wondering what happened to those two bodies that have still not been located. Our book club was fortunate enough to have R.D. Zimmerman (a.k.a. Robert Alexander) speak at our club. He enlightened us with his tales of research and writing, and getting chased by the KGB in his early years as a Russian interpreter. He does a wonderful job of keeping the elements of suspense and surprise as he writes one of the few fictional pieces about the rule of Nicholas and Alexandra. I highly recommend listening to him if ever given the chance as he has much knowledge of Russian history to impart.