by Kathryn A. Wright
Editor of the trilogy, Love and War: An American Volunteer in the Soviet Red Army
Nicholas and I began working together very closely on the Love and War trilogy in 2003. It has been a labor of love for both of us. The work has brought us – as Uncle and Niece – closer as we worked through the challenges of language and historical accuracy. There was never a problem with the story-telling; Nicholas is a master and this is, after all, his own personal story.
Even though English is Nick’s first language (he was born in the U.S.A.), he spent more than 60 years of his life (from the age of 7) in the Soviet Union and his daily living and working language was, therefore, Russian. I was able to bring my own life-long writing and editing experience to this project, and have been honored to serve as Nick’s editor, fashioning his rusty English into what I hope is a readable form for North Americans. We have, however, consulted each other on nearly every word.
Nick’s sister Anne (my mother, who remained in America when the rest of the family moved to the U.S.S.R.), and his brothers Mike and John have all passed, but their children have grown to adulthood and have themselves produced children and grandchildren. If you want to know more, read the biography under the tab ‘About M. J. Nicholas.’
As far as this blog goes, Nicholas has given me the responsibility for it. So I will write it with his blessing. Occasionally, Nick may write an entry. We will try to address any questions or ideas inspired by the Love and War trilogy that you might want to communicate to us (see Contact). We both hope that you will find it interesting, informative and, now and then, amusing.
