The book is a fictional description of the life of Giulio Mazarini (Jules Mazarin as he is known in France and the English-speaking world), an Italian who lived in the 17th Century and had an amazing fate. He began his career as servant-companion of a young Italian noble and ended it as a ruler of France. This book is the first in a series consisting of four volumes: In the service of Constable Colonna, His Holiness diplomat, Richelieu s admirer, and Ruler of France. The book is for anyone who likes adventure in a historical setting, from young adults to a mature audience. Readers may be...

Vladimir Maz'ya (born 1937) is an outstanding mathematician who systematically made fundamental contributions to a wide array of areas in mathematical analysis and in the theory of partial differential equations. In this fascinating book he describes the first thirty years of his life. He starts with the story of his family, speaks about his childhood, high school and university years, describe his formative years as a mathematician. Behind the author's personal recollections, with his own joys, sorrows and hopes, one sees a vivid picture of the time. He speaks warmly about his friends, both...

In this book, Vladimir Maz'ya describes the first thirty years of his life. He describes his formative years in the Soviet Union, the awakening of his passion for mathematics and his early achievements, presenting, in the process, a vivid picture of the time.