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[[Image:A Solzhenitsyn.jpg|left|]]

[[Image:A Solzhenitsyn.jpg|left|]]

'''Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn''' (Russian: Александр Солженицын) (b. 1918 - 2008) was born at Kislovodsk on 11th December, 1918, in the [[Soviet Union]]. He was sent to prison and labor camps over a letter that criticized [[Joseph Stalin]].  His additional writing won him the [[Nobel Prize]] for Literature in 1970 and exile from the Soviet Union (ordered out of the country) in 1974.  He returned to [[Russia]] in 1994, after [[communism]] fell there.

'''Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn''' (Russian: Александр Солженицын) (b. 1918 - 2008), was a Russian novelist and historian. He was born at Kislovodsk on 11th December, 1918, in the [[Soviet Union]]. He was sent to prison and labor camps over a letter that criticized [[Joseph Stalin]].  His additional writing won him the [[Nobel Prize]] for Literature in 1970 and exile from the Soviet Union (ordered out of the country) in 1974.  He returned to [[Russia]] in 1994, after [[communism]] fell there.

Solzhenitsyn studied science, history, and literature.  He also was a teacher for a short period.  When the [[Nazis]] invaded in 1941, he entered the army.  From his hard work he rose to the rank of captain and won medals twice for his service.   

Solzhenitsyn studied science, history, and literature.  He also was a teacher for a short period.  When the [[Nazis]] invaded in 1941, he entered the army.  From his hard work he rose to the rank of captain and won medals twice for his service.   

Solzhenitsyn warned the [[United States]], "America ... they are trying to weaken you; they are trying to disarm your strong and magnificent country ... I call upon you: ordinary working men  of America ... do not let yourselves become weak."  

Solzhenitsyn warned the [[United States]], "America ... they are trying to weaken you; they are trying to disarm your strong and magnificent country ... I call upon you: ordinary working men  of America ... do not let yourselves become weak."  

In the 1990s, Solzhenitsyn was critical of President [[Boris Yeltsin]], blaming him for the collapse of Russia's economy, his inability to prevent [[NATO]] expansion in Eastern Europe, and his support of  Russian billionaires ([[oligarch]]s), while ordinary Russians grew poorer. In 1998, Solzhenitsyn embarrassed Yeltsin by refusing to accept an award from him.[http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/421905.aspx]

In the 1990s, Solzhenitsyn was critical of President [[Boris Yeltsin]], blaming him for the collapse of Russia's economy, his inability to prevent [[NATO]] expansion in Eastern Europe, and his support of  Russian billionaires ([[oligarch]]s), while ordinary Russians grew poorer (Rebuilding Russia (1990) and Russia in Collapse (1998)). In 1998, Solzhenitsyn embarrassed Yeltsin by refusing to accept an award from him.[http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/421905.aspx]

Solzhenitsyn has criticized the policies of current Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]].  <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/935876.stm</ref>  In later years, he supported and defended Putin against western criticism. In 2007, he accepted an award from Putin.[http://pajamasmedia.com/flemmingrose/2007/07/29/post_4/]

Solzhenitsyn has criticized the policies of current Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]].  <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/935876.stm</ref>  In later years, he supported and defended Putin against western criticism. In 2007, he accepted an award from Putin.[http://pajamasmedia.com/flemmingrose/2007/07/29/post_4/]