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Children of the Night
- The Strange and Epic Story of Modern Romania
- Narrated by: Paul Kenyon
- Length: 19 hrs and 38 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A vivid, brilliant, darkly humorous and horrifying history of some of the strangest dictators that Europe has ever seen.
Balanced precariously on the shifting fault line between East and West, Romania's schizophrenic, often violent past is one of the great untold stories of modern Europe.
The country that gave us Vlad Dracula, and whose citizens consider themselves descendants of ancient Rome, has traditionally preferred the status of enigmatic outsider. But this beautiful and unexplored land has experienced some of the most disastrous leaderships of the last century.
After a relatively benign period led by a dutiful king and his vivacious, British-born queen, the country oscillated wildly. Its interwar rulers form a gallery of bizarre characters and extreme movements: the corrupt and mentally unbalanced King Carol; the fascist death cult led by Corneliu Codreanu; the vain General Ion Antonescu, who seized power in 1940 and led the country into a catastrophic alliance with Nazi Germany. After 1945 power was handed to Romania's tiny communist party, under which it experienced severe repression, purges and collectivisation.
Then in 1965, Nicolae Ceaușescu came to power. And thus began the strangest dictatorship of all.
Critic Reviews
"A witty and page-turning narrative full of grotesque characters." (Misha Glenny)
"Kenyon relates all this with verve [and] humour.... He patiently untangles the complicated webs of loyalty and enmity." (Literary Review)
"Absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in Romania past and present." (John Simpson)
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What listeners say about Children of the Night
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Meurigfa
- 06-13-22
Best audio book that I have bought!!
I'm always interested in history but I had no real interest in Romania but, having listened to Paul Kenyon's Dictatorland and enjoying it, I thought that I would give it a try and I'm so glad that I did.
It's a tragedy, it's a comedy, it's a soap opera, it's bizarre and it's deeply sad. But it is an education on what life is like living under oppressive leaders who are barbaric and self-serving.
Both the Fascists and the Communist Leaders were equally cruel and it is sad that idealists so often end up as the problem rather than the solution.
Buy this book if you have even the tiniest interest in World history. You won't regret it.
2 people found this helpful
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- R S
- 02-11-22
Highly recommended
Audible always ends by saying I hope "you enjoyed listening". No, I cannot say that I "enjoyed" it! For me, as an offspring of a Romanian family, the book is too heartbreaking for that at times. It is well told, both in writing and in the author's reading. The prose is often reminiscent of a thriller rather than a political history but that will probably help keeping listeners engaged.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is not familiar with my poor dear country.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 02-11-22
A fascinating story well told
My knowledge of Romania’s past and present was woefully lacking - but that isn’t the only reason to read this absorbing account of the country and its past.
It is a fascinating story in its own right. Paul Kenyon writes really well - making the driest details of the ins and outs and ups and downs of the the country’s fortunes into a human drama on an epic scale.
It is read beautifully by the author himself. I am recommending this to my friends.
2 people found this helpful
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- leonard iancu
- 04-08-22
Brilliant
Brilliantly researched, dramatically narrated. Captivating and riveting ,I have discovered surprising stories and moments in the history of Romania. Absolutely recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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- mark
- 03-04-22
Very interesting
What a page Turner. I really find the way this is written like a novel gripping and hold sure interest throughout.
The history of Romania is very interesting powerful and challenging at times.
At times I had to put this book down. It's truly honorific what people can do to each other's
1 person found this helpful