Ryszard Kapuscinski

My writing is a combination of three elements. The first is travel: not travel like a tourist, but travel as exploration. The second is reading literature on the subject. The third is reflection.

There are several reasons why Russians view the oppressive state positively. First, in the Russian Orthodox religion, there is an understanding of authority as something sent by God.

This is the most intimate relationship between literature and its readers: they treat the text as a part of themselves, as a possession.

Money changes all the iron rules into rubber bands.

The tradition of Russian literature is also an eastern tradition of learning poetry and prose by heart.

Readership was high, and very attentive. It was people's only source of knowledge about the world.

Amin knew that neither West nor East would criticize him for fear that he would support the other side. He felt he was untouchable and he said so openly.

He killed his enemies because he was afraid they would kill him. Amin ordered entire tribes to be put to death, because he feared they would rebel.