With his gold-medal performance in Moscow, Van Cliburn added a human face to the Cold War...A nuanced account. -- New York Times Book Review 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. -- Economist 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. -- Dallas Morning News 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. -- Houston Chronicle 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. -- Shelf Awareness 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. -- Wall Street Journal A beautifully done biography of one of the Cold War's most famous and unlikely characters... -- Boston Globe Best Book of 2016 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. -- Fort Worth Weekly 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. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Houston Chronicle 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. -- The Economist Cliff... successfully evokes Cliburn's intuitive musicianship. -- New Yorker Astonishing... an engaging, richly detailed account of a remarkable man. -- Christian Science Monitor 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. -- The Lady 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. -- BookPage Essential reading for anyone interested in Cliburn-or in the cultural history of the Cold War. -- Terry Teachout, Commentary 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. -- Booklist (starred review) 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. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) 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. -- Library Journal (starred review) 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. -- Kirkus, Starred Review