Alexander Pushkin is considered by many to be Russia's greatest poet, and through his poems as well as his experimentation with other genres--dramas, short stories, prose novels--he influenced generations of Russian and international writers. This exquisite biography examines Pushkin as writer, lover, and public figure, exploring his relationship with politics and providing a fascinating glimpse of the turbulent history that surrounded Pushkin's life. This is a succinct and sympathetic guide to understanding Russia's most celebrated literary figure.