A family of aristocrats with money and no apparent useful skills schmoozes it way around European elite society for multiple generations without being reduced to lifestyles more consistent with their contributions to the general welfare. It is remarkable that the fabric of civilization made it possible for such a pack of leeches to survive in grand style for so long and still today makes it possible, albeit with different schmoozers, mostly from new lineages.
I recently finished reading the graphic novel "On Tyranny" and now I'm working my way, slowly, through "The Gulag Archipelago" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. What reading these two books showed me is my utter lack of knowledge about the history of Poland, Ukraine, the Satellite States and Russia. What I'm picking up along the way I'm finding absolutely engrossing.
Some beautiful writing that accentuates the power of a remarkable story.
A family of aristocrats with money and no apparent useful skills schmoozes it way around European elite society for multiple generations without being reduced to lifestyles more consistent with their contributions to the general welfare. It is remarkable that the fabric of civilization made it possible for such a pack of leeches to survive in grand style for so long and still today makes it possible, albeit with different schmoozers, mostly from new lineages.
Fascinating story. I've enjoyed reading this.
I recently finished reading the graphic novel "On Tyranny" and now I'm working my way, slowly, through "The Gulag Archipelago" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. What reading these two books showed me is my utter lack of knowledge about the history of Poland, Ukraine, the Satellite States and Russia. What I'm picking up along the way I'm finding absolutely engrossing.