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The King of Vodka: The Story of Pyotr Smirnov and the Upheaval of an Empire |  | Author: Linda Himelstein
Publisher: HarperBusiness
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $5.74
as of 3/15/2010 07:38 CDT details
You Save: $24.25 (81%)
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Seller: athena_books
Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 472896
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 416
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.5
ISBN: 0060855894
Dewey Decimal Number: 338.76635
EAN: 9780060855895
ASIN: 0060855894
Publication Date: May 1, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In this sweeping history of vodka scion Pyotr Smirnov and his family, distinguished journalist Linda Himelstein plumbs a great riddle of Russian history through the story of a humble serf who rose to create one of the most celebrated business empires the world has ever known. At the center of this vivid narrative, Pyotr Smirnov comes to life as a hero of wonderful complexity—a man of intense ambition and uncanny business sense, a patriarch of a family that would help define Russian society and suffer from the Revolution's aftermath, and a loyalist to a nation that would one day honor him as a treasure of the state. Born in a small village in 1831, Smirnov relied on vodka—a commodity that in many ways defines Russia—to turn a life of scarcity and anonymity into one of immense wealth and international recognition. Starting from the backrooms and side streets of 19th century Moscow, Smirnov exploited a golden age of emancipation and brilliant grassroots marketing strategies to popularize his products and ensconce his brand within the thirsts and imaginations of drinkers around the world. His vodka would be gulped in the taverns of Russia and Europe, praised with accolades at World Fairs, and become a staple on the tables of Tsars. His improbable ascent—set against a sobriety crusade supported by Chekhov and Tolstoy, mounting political uprisings and labor strikes, the eventual monopolization of the vodka trade by the state—would crumble amidst the chaos of the Bolshevik revolution. Only a set of bizarre coincidences—including an incredible prison escape by one of Smirnov's sons in 1919—would prevent Smirnov's legacy from fading into oblivion. Set against a backdrop of political and ideological currents that would determine the course of global history—from the fall of the Tsars to the rise of Communism, from vodka's popularization by none other than James Bond to Smirnoff's emergence as a multi-billion dollar brand—Smirnov's story of triumph and tragedy is a captivating historical touchstone. The King of Vodka is much more than a biography of an extraordinary man. It is a work of narrative history on an epic scale.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
 Fascinating Book February 3, 2010
B. Stein (Panama City, Florida)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The King of Vodka was a very enjoyable book. Ms Himelstein's writing style is very easy to read and the book reads like a novel without compromising the delivery of her in depth research.
Pytor Smirnov is the classic rags to riches story. He created an empire with an awareness of the societal and political environment that was amazing for an uneducated, former serf.
His family's entitled life styles were in direct conflict with how Smirnov lived his life. The story continues through the Bolshevik revolution. The transformation of Russia from an imperial state to a socialist state changed the fortunes of Smirnovs.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next Himelstein book.
The King of Vodka - As good as a Moscow Mule! January 31, 2010
J. M. Haag (Panama City, FL)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The King of Vodka by Linda Himelstein is a fascinating and I felt well told tale of a family that that rises from abject poverty to untold wealth, back to poverty and finally in the twenty-first century realizes financial gain from the empire started by Pyotr Smirnov in the nineteenth century. The book provides insight into Russia's pre and post revolution social structure, culture and economy in a style that held my attention and kept my interest in what turn of fate or family foible would befall or manifest itself to the Smirnov clan next. The story of one man's ambition, drive and capitalism followed by his successor's lack of interest and Russia's attempt to fight alcoholism while balancing the budget with liquor taxes make for a roller coaster ride through 100+ years of Russian history with a surprise ending. A book with some kick, like a Moscow Mule!
 Great story if you have LOTS of patience January 30, 2010
Dr Cathy Goodwin (Seattle, WA USA)
I enjoyed most of this book and wasn't bothered by fictionalization of the sections. After all, at a certain point it's hard to separate truth from fiction in many historical accounts. We have data and the historian must interpret it.
What I liked about the book was the opportunity to see Russia in the Tsarist days, when culture and business flourished. The story of Pyotr's rise from serfdom to successful business owner was fascinating precisely because it took place in the Russian context. Pyotr had to gain access to the court. He used an ingenious tactic at once point, inviting needy men (we would call them homeless) to visit taverns and ask for Smirnov's vodka. He paid them for the drinks and their time. It was an early form of word of mouth marketing.
I also liked the story of Pyotr's family with his two wives. Apparently his second wife was just 16 - a full 27 years younger than he was!
The main problem for me was the mass of details that we receive about every point. I would rather have seen a stronger narrative flow.
The story of the Smirnov empire after the Revolution was very sad. We could see how the Revolution interrupted a trend that was already in place to liberalize the country while allowing a growing economy. The serfs had been freed. More freedoms were on the way.
Sadly, the Revolution brought new repression and created conditions of hardship that lasted a long time, some till today. I read this book right after reading Mountain of Crumbs, providing some sense of the changes in Russian life.
A Great Tale of Life in Russia January 29, 2010
George DePuy (Lynn Haven, FL)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Anyone who has been to Russia or has an interst in Russian history should read this book. The author captures the struggles of people in Russia in the 1800's and early 1900's. The story of a man rising from a serf to one of the wealthiest men in the country is very interesting. Of course the damage done by the Communists is well known, but this book makes the decline very real.
King of Vodka January 29, 2010
Paul Brent (Panama City, FL United States)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
After hearing Linda Himelstein speak I bought this book to read the details of the rise of Pyotr Smirnov and the demise of his empire during the Russian revolution only to be resuscitated in America after prohibition. I found the research fascinating and the parts where no facts were recorded were duly noted and credibly imagined. While truth cannot be compared to the structure of fiction, this story of one family's triumphs and tragedies rings true. One man's marketing skills in a time when few new the meaning of marketing was a compelling story in itself. Unanticipated marriages, births and deaths occur at the most inopportune time. The cultural manifestations of vodka and the government's attempts to control its consumption mirror our period of prohibition and shed light on Russia's ongoing love affair with vodka. This is a book that is inspiring, educational and a great read. Kudos to Himelstein. I await further books from this author.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
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