Nigel Cliff is a historian, biographer, and translator. His first book, The Shakespeare Riots, was a finalist for the National Award for Arts Writing and was chosen as one of the Washington Post's best books of the year. His second book, The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama, was a New York Times Notable Book. His most recent book is a translation and edition of The Travels by Marco Polo. A former film and theater critic for the London Times and contributor to The Economist, he writes for a range of publications, including the New York Times Book Review. A Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford, he lives in London.
With his gold-medal performance in Moscow, Van Cliburn added a human face to the Cold War...A nuanced account. -- <b>New York Times Book Review</b> Nigel Cliff... has written a freshly sourced account of these momentous Moscow nights. He places them aptly at the heart of the nuclear conflict and poignantly in the personal odyssey of a lanky, gay pianist from a small prairie town who never wanted to do much except play Russian music. -- <b>Economist</b> Absorbing...Cliff is at home in Texan, American, Russian, political and piano cultures. . . . a solid history of a most remarkable young man caught at a most remarkable time. -- <b>Dallas Morning News</b> An elegant, insightful and ultimately definitive account of one of the 20th century's most compelling events, and the extraordinary artist and person at the heart of it. -- <b>Houston Chronicle</b> [Cliff's] fresh perspective, combined with deep research and a genuine gift for narrative, restores a neglected chapter of American musical and political history to vivid-and contemporaneously relevant life. -- Madison Searle, <em>Te</em>x<em>as Music</em> Brings to life Van Cliburn's unexpected triumph and its continuing implications for Soviet-American relations through the end of the Cold War... an engaging account of an extraordinary historical moment. -- <b>Shelf Awareness</b> Cliburn in Russia offers a fascinating perspective on a decade of nuclear tests, espionage schemes and efforts to close the missile gap. This story is to the Cold War what ping-pong diplomacy was to President Nixon's opening to China. It is both entertaining and illuminating, and Cliff tells it beautifully. -- <b>Wall Street Journal</b> A beautifully done biography of one of the Cold War's most famous and unlikely characters... -- <b>Boston Globe Best Book of 2016 </b> The newest biography on the life of Van Cliburn is a masterpiece ...As an account of the political climate and cultural events that the genius musician found himself in as a young man, MOSCOW NIGHTS may long stand as an enthralling resource for historians, audiophiles, and the general public alike. -- <b>Fort Worth Weekly</b> An elegant, insightful and ultimately definitive account of one of the 20th century's most compelling events, and the extraordinary artist and person at the heart of it. -- <b>Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Houston Chronicle</b> Nigel Cliff... has written a freshly sourced account of these momentous Moscow nights. He places them aptly at the heart of the nuclear conflict and poignantly in the personal odyssey of a lanky, gay pianist from a small prairie town who never wanted to do much except play Russian music. -- <b>The Economist</b> Cliff... successfully evokes Cliburn's intuitive musicianship. -- <b>New Yorker</b> Astonishing... an engaging, richly detailed account of a remarkable man. -- <b>Christian Science Monitor</b> Cliff's authentic depiction of life during the cold war transports us into a sinister bygone age, while insightful descriptions provide a rare glimpse of [Cliburn's] sometimes fragile mindset...Cliff's vivid retelling of the dramatic story and its aftermath will have readers perched on the edge of their seat. -- <b>The Lady</b> Part musical biography, part nostalgic look at the hula-hoop era and part Cold War history, MOSCOW NIGHTS strikes the right chord in all respects. -- <b>BookPage</b> Essential reading for anyone interested in Cliburn-or in the cultural history of the Cold War. -- <b>Terry Teachout, Commentary</b> A thrilling delight...compulsively readable...It's Vanya all the way in a biography for music lovers, Cold War devotees, and all readers seeking a true feel-great story. -- <b>Booklist (starred review)</b> Cliff brilliantly weaves together the politics, personalities, and pianism...A well-researched, fascinating look at a special relationship between Van Cliburn and the U.S.S.R. -- <b>Publishers Weekly (starred review)</b> A sympathetic yet rounded portrait of the pianist...Highly recommended for readers interested in music (especially classical music and the piano) and the history of the Cold War. -- <b>Library Journal (starred review)</b> A rousing, well-researched biography... Throughout the author vividly reprises major historical events...Sweeping history combines with a sensitive rendering of Cliburn's extraordinary passion. -- <b>Kirkus, Starred Review</b>