Moments when the stars of humanity shine

Author: Stefan Zweig
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: This is a collection of Stefan Zweig's masterful historical non-fiction short stories, featuring seven dramatic and fate-laden human tales: an almost desperate European refugee discovers the Pacific through mere whispers; the Empire of Byzantium collapses suddenly due to the whimsical opening of a "small door"; a loyal but clumsy fool buries Napoleon's grand dreams in a single moment of hesitation; an Russian's reluctant journey inadvertently alters the course of the 20th-century world. Each story is imbued with the literary master's unique understanding of history, and every interpretation holds a decryption and reflection on mysterious destiny. The charm of history often lies in the unbelievable, while the charm of reading lies in helping us draw more life wisdom from the unbelievable. We may not agree with Zweig's fatalism, but we are inevitably moved by his heroic storytelling. Yes, when faced with the irresistible will of the heavens and the unable laws behind things, is it not also our right and impulse to constantly probe the limits of fate?