The books I mentioned at the end of Child 44 were also crucial to the writing of this book and formed the bedrock of the research for this novel. In addition, William Taubman’s biography Khrushchev: The Man and His Era (Simon & Schuster, 2003) was indispensable.
I’ve already mentioned Michael Korda’s book on his experiences in the Hungarian Revolution. Equally inspirational, and important, were Victor Sebestyen’s Twelve Days: Revolution 1956: How the Hungarians Tried to Topple Their Soviet Masters (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2006) and The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Reform, Revolt and Repression, 1953–1963, edited by Gyorgy Litvan (translated by Janos M. Bak and Lyman H. Legters, Longman, 1966).
I’d like to make special note of one autobiography, Shallow Graves in Siberia, by Michael Krupa (Minerva Press, 1997). It is an extraordinary story, deeply moving, and it reminded me that no matter how oppressive the adversary, someone always manages to find a way above it.
I owe these authors a huge debt. I should note that any inaccuracies are entirely my own.