"Before they'd taken a few drags on their cheap tobacco, they had already set up a cannon in the square and started firing at the church" (Chapter 1, pg. 7.)

"Where's your husband?" (Chapter 1, pg. 9.)

"How many victims, how much blood and suffering, are connected with this business of borders!" (Chapter 2, pg. 20.)

"Power is seriousness." (Chapter 2, pg. 23.)

"If there exists such a thing as the genius of a nation, then the genius of the Russian nation is expressed in, among other things, just this saying: 'Well, that's life!'" (Chapter 2, pg. 33.)

"Despite the stiff, rigorous corset of Soviet power, the local, small, yet very ancient, nations had succeeded in preserving something of their tradition, of their history, of their, albeit, concealed pride and dignity" (Chapter 3, pg. 38.)

"That which I have done no animal would ever do" (Chapter 3, pg. 79.)

"It is a fascinating moment, fraught with promise, when this spirit of...