Vladimir, the Russian Viking

Vladimir of Russia (960-1015), a prince of Viking origin, founded the Russian State and converted his people to Christianity. This is the first complete biography of his life, based on Russian, Greek, German, Arabic and Icelandic sources. Endowed with exceptional talents as a warrior, diplomat and administrator, Vladimir seized his brother's throne and expanded his rule over the whole of Russia. A shrewd, hospitable and progressive ruler, later to become the benevolent "Red Sun" of Russian folklore, he adopted the Christian faith from the Greeks in 989 and is now recognized as a saint by the Christian churches. Vladimir Volkoff has written several plays and novels and has won the Grand Prix du Roman de l'Academie Francaise, the Prix Chateaubriand and the Prix Jules Verne.