Return from Siberia

by John Shallman

Overview

**Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today Bestseller!**

In the lead-up to the Bolshevik Revolution, one young revolutionary is condemned to exile in Siberia; a hundred years later, his ancestors discover his story and learn just how much history has repeated itself.

In the midst of running a long-shot political campaign, Democratic political consultant John Simon discovers a 100-year-old manuscript written by his grandfather Joseph—a brilliant young revolutionary whose exile to Siberia by the last czar of Russia is just the beginning of an extraordinary tale of survival, romance, and revolution. Return From Siberia chronicles not only the Simon family's relationship to each other and the past, but also the remarkable story of a young man who sacrificed everything for his political ideals.

As Joseph's manuscript is translated, chapter-by-chapter, the Simon family is pulled deep into their ancestor’s story— in particular, the bitter rivalry between two brothers, whose competing visions of the American Dream are played out on the campaign trail and in their lives. Return from Siberia is a timely appraisal of modern politics and society juxtaposed with an inside look into the machinations of a young political mind 100 years ago.

The true story documents an extraordinary time of political upheaval in Russia and Europe just prior to World War I while also drawing parallels to current day American politics and the current philosophical and ideological debates about immigration, Democratic Socialism, and Capitalism. Beyond the deep social, political, and philosophical themes, there is romance, adventure, betrayal, suspense, and the struggles of families today and in yesteryear. Return from Siberia illustrates how one modern family's connection to the past helps them resolve their future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510763371
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

John Shallman is an award-winning media, advertising, and political campaign strategist and a "go-to" crisis management expert for A-List celebrities, corporate executives, and athletes. He has consulted for a number of television and film projects and has lectured at universities and colleges across the country. He’s married with four children.
 

Table of Contents

Note to Reader ix

Part I The East

Chapter 1 Ancestors 1

Chapter 2 Comrade Rakow 15

Chapter 3 Decoding the Past 23

Chapter 4 First Arrest 29

Chapter 5 Keep Your Enemy Close 35

Chapter 6 Exile 39

Chapter 7 Where the Heart is 46

Chapter 8 Sacrifice 53

Chapter 9 Black and White 67

Chapter 10 Siberia 74

Chapter 11 First Love 82

Chapter 12 Sorrow 88

Chapter 13 Pride 94

Chapter 14 Survival 100

Chapter 15 The Tears Will Never Dry 111

Chapter 16 There Are No Words 115

Part II The West

Chapter 17 Comrades Everywhere 123

Chapter 18 Finding Your People 132

Chapter 19 Land of the Free 138

Chapter 20 Torn Apart 146

Chapter 21 Kismet 153

Chapter 22 So Close, So Far 160

Chapter 23 Windy City 165

Chapter 24 Toldot 176

Chapter 25 Revolution 179

Chapter 26 The Issues 183

Chapter 27 A Rose by Another Name 186

Chapter 28 Vows 197

Chapter 29 The Fall 201

Chapter 30 Taking a Stand 205

Chapter 31 We the People 210

Epilogue 215

Acknowledgments 217