Decisive Moments in History

Interesting Facts

• The book consists of 14 novellas, each describing key moments in human history.
• Zweig uses the term «star hours» to denote brief but decisive moments that changed the course of history.
• One of the novellas is dedicated to the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's role in this conflict.
• The book describes the moment when Lenin returned to Russia in 1917, marking a turning point in the country's history.
• Zweig pays attention not only to political events but also to cultural ones, such as the creation of the «Marseillaise» by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.
• The novellas are written in the genre of historical vignettes, allowing the author to focus on details and emotions.
• The book was written between the two world wars, which is reflected in its content and mood.
• Zweig sought to show how individual personalities and their actions can influence the fate of entire nations and civilizations.