One Million First is an autobiographical and testimonial work penned by Alla Dudaeva, wife of Dzhokhar Dudayev, who was the first president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. The book recounts Dudaeva's individual life story as well as the political, social, and humanitarian crises experienced in Chechnya following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, firsthand.

About the Author

Alla Dudaeva is an artist and writer, born in 1947 in the Kolomensky District of the Soviet Union. She married Soviet Air Force officer Dzhokhar Dudayev, and with her husband's political rise and Chechnya's struggle for independence, she found herself together at the very center of historical events. Dudaeva aimed to inform the international public about the war, exile, and human rights violations suffered by the Chechen people, becoming one of the symbolic figures of the Chechen resistance through her works.

Content and Themes

The book largely relies on Alla Dudaeva's memoirs and testimonies. Dudaeva examines the period from the Soviet era to Chechnya's declaration of independence, followed by the First Chechen War which began in 1994, and the assassination of her husband in 1996, from a personal perspective. The following themes stand out in the work:

• The Devastation of War: The devastating effects of the conflicts in Chechnya on civilians are recounted in detail.
• Identity and Resistance: The Chechen people's desire for independence and the corresponding Russian reaction are highlighted with the author's emphasis on national identity.
• Female Perspective: The challenges of being a woman – a wife, mother, and artist – amidst war and political turmoil are presented with a unique narrative.
• Testimony and Memory: The book also serves as a memory text, approaching historical events based on individual testimony.

Style and Narrative

Dudaeva's narrative is quite simple and clear. At times, although it contains emotional intensity, the narrative style is generally documentary and observation-based. The book is regarded more as a combination of memoir, historical document, and personal evaluations, rather than a literary novel. The book also contains poetic passages and personal writings here and there.

Importance and Impact

Although the work is a memoir, it is important for recounting the life of Dzhokhar Dudayev and significant events related to the war. Through One Million First, Alla Dudaeva has presented not only the story of her husband and the Chechen people, but also the struggle for existence of women in a war environment. The book is considered one of the important testimonial texts shedding light on the recent history of Chechnya in academic and political circles.