[Book Review] History: Global Citizen, Remarkable Life by Kyra Kaptzan Robinov

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By Kyra Kaptzan Robinov

This is the second book in the RUSSIAN ROOTS: A Global Generational Saga. This is the story of the author’s father, Michael Kaptzan. He was born in Siberia. In his early childhood, his family’s remote village was overrun by the Bolsheviks, who murdered his father. Along with his mother and siblings, the family escaped to Japan. As a pre-teen, his home was flattened by an earthquake, burying him in the rubble. During WWII, while trapped in Shanghai, China, Kaptzan assisted fellow Jews escaping Nazi-occupied Europe.

This is an exceptionally captivating memoir. Robinov really allows her father’s personality to shine through in the writing. His story is remarkable with the number of tragic events he endured and the number of times circumstances necessitated that he start over, reinventing himself in a new location.

Robinov has a wonderfully conversational style to her storytelling and this book is no exception. The reader feels as though they are spending an afternoon listening to a friend the tales of their history. It is so enjoyable to read her writing.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

More About the Author

Kyra Robinov is a Manhattan-based writer who works in many genres—fiction, non-fiction, musical theatre, and children’s literature. She draws much of her inspiration from the incredible stories she heard growing up about her family’s remarkable experiences.

After fictionalizing her paternal grandmother’s story of a young mother surviving the Russian Revolution in her historical novel, RED WINTER, Kyra decided to focus on her father’s life. Her new nonfiction release, HiSTORY, spotlights a daughter’s perspective on a bygone era and a man who struggled before ultimately achieving financial and personal success.

Kyra Robinov’s passion for the arts and storytelling originated in ballet and drama, and often, but not always, relates to her Russian Jewish heritage. She has worked on multiple live theater pieces.  Kyra wrote the book and lyrics for TO DANCE, a musical inspired by the true life of Russian Jewish ballet dancer Valery Panov, which was featured at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2015.

​Her whimsical NATURE SERIES IN VERSE—MATT McFLACK & HIS FLYAWAY KITE, DANCE OF THE SEASONS, and THE FOLLY OF POLLY THE PENGUIN—introduces young readers to the importance of perseverance, the different times of the year, and combatting climate change. The books are also available on Audible.com.

Kyra’s latest release is URGE to ROME: My Quest to Become Sexy, Sultry & Migraine-free, a personal recollection about the challenging year she and her family spent while following their dream to live abroad.

For more information, please visit: KyraRobinov.com.

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