Russia is the largest country in the world and covers more than one eighth of the globe's inhabited land mass. So, it stands to reason that it has been home to many amazing people. The Amazing People Club takes you on a virtual historical journey into the lives of some of these inspirational contributors to this nation. Famous for her many lovers, Catherine the Great was also a strong leader who inspired loyalty and respect rather than fear and oppression - indeed she did not do things in a traditional manner. Orbit the earth with Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space at the age of 27. Be swept away by the composer of such masterpieces as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky, who led a somewhat troubled life despite achieving immense success. Also, meet Vasili Mitrokhin and Ivan Pavlov. Their stories are monumental and brought to life in this fascinating title. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Germany is a country rich in history for many reasons, both good and bad. In this exciting title, The Amazing People Club would like to bring you face to face with some of the most influential and inspirational people of Germany. Everyone has heard of Beethoven and his masterpieces, but few know that he sought solace in music due to his sad childhood at the hands of an abusive and alcoholic father. Over 15 million people find pain relief every year using Aspirin; however Felix Hoffmann who discovered this household drug received little public recognition. Explore the turbulent life of Marie-Elisabeth Luders, who worked tirelessly for the rights of women and children in a society that criticised her for being a single mother. Also, meet Gerhard Domagk and Robert Koch and discover how these amazing people devoted their time and energy to developments and innovations that made major contributions to the country of Germany. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

As well as being famous for its fine artists and great writers, Italy is also (and consequently) closely associated with romance and passion. The birthplace of the Renaissance has been home to many amazing people. The Amazing People Club invites you to explore their lives in this fascinating title. Be swept away on a musical journey of discovery with the genial Giuseppe Verdi, who is revered as one of the greatest romantic composers of all time. Follow in the footsteps of Rosalba Carriera, who built up a solid career as a leading portraitist of her time in an occupation usually undertaken by men. Discover how Niccolo Machiavelli aspired to become such a forward thinker and philosopher, whose works are still referred to by today's journalists and society in general. Also meet Enrico Fermi, Antonio Meucci and be inspired by these Amazing Italians who contributed to the rebirth of modern history in not only Italy but also in Europe. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

In this unique, inspirational story collection from The Amazing People Club®, meet some of the amazing French people who have made major contributions to a great nation. Meet the unforgettable Louis XVI, who had the vision for one of France's most visited sites - the Palace of Versailles. Discover his personal challenges and relationships, and better understand what motivated him and enabled him to reign France for seventy-two years. Meet Louis Pasteur, an amazing chemist and microbiologist. Many know about the groundbreaking work he did around pasteurisation however few know that among many other things, he created the first vaccines for anthrax and rabies. Meet philosopher, writer, feminist: Simone de Beauvoir who broke free from societal chains and marched to the beat of her own drum. Find out about her relationship with prominent existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, and learn more about the woman whose intellect and passion made her more than a match for her male counterparts. Discover the little-known story of Louis Bleriot, the french aviator who was the first man to fly over the English Channel. Finally, meet Louis Braille, whose pivotal work changed the lives of blind and visually impaired people around the globe. Celebrate the lives of these amazing French people through BioViews®, which are short biographical narratives that are similar to interviews. These inspirational stories from The Amazing People Club® provide a new way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

Colonists are often defined as people who moved from a civilized country to a non-civilized country to form new communities modelled on their old country. The Amazing People Club would like to introduce you to five amazing people who embarked upon great adventurous journeys, in some cases not always voluntarily. Discover how they adapted to new worlds and cultures as they share their stories of survival and success. Be inspired by Anne Burras, the maidservant who became the first founding colonial mother of America - she is one of the most important women in the history of the USA. Follow in the footsteps of Cecil Rhodes, who despite ill health went from cotton farmer to diamond magnate and founder of the state of Rhodesia. Join Christopher Columbus, Samuel de Champlain and Susannah Holmes on their voyages to explore undiscovered worlds. Gain insights into what motivated these amazing explorers and colonists, and how they battled to form civilized communities. Be inspired by their notable achievements which have had major influences on the world as it is today. Each story comes to life through BioViews®. These are short biographical narratives, similar to interviews. They provide an easy way of learning about amazing people who made major contributions and changed our world.

The legendary Russian biography series, The Lives of Remarkable People, has played a significant role in Russian culture from its inception in 1890 until today. The longest running biography series in world literature, it spans three centuries and widely divergent political and cultural epochs: Imperial, Soviet, and Post-Soviet Russia. The authors argue that the treatment of biographical figures in the series is a case study for continuities and changes in Russian national identity over time. Biography in Russia and elsewhere remains a most influential literary genre and the distinctive approach and branding of the series has made it the economic engine of its publisher, Molodaia gvardiia. The centrality of biographies of major literary figures in the series reflects their heightened importance in Russian culture. The contributors examine the ways that biographies of Russia's foremost writers shaped the literary canon while mirroring the political and social realities of both the subjects’ and their biographers' times. Starting with Alexander Pushkin and ending with Joseph Brodsky, the authors analyze the interplay of research and imagination in biographical narrative, the changing perceptions of what constitutes literary greatness, and the subversive possibilities of biography during eras of political censorship.