Georgian-born author, journalist, and activist Tsisnami 'Sissy' Sakvarlishvili has seen her global platform expand rapidly since her book, Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union, was featured on a digital billboard in Times Square on Easter 2026. The campaign, which broadcast her cinematic video trailer and book cover over 50 times in the heart of New York City, solidified her status as a leading voice in political history and human rights. Franklin Publishers honored her as one of their 'Top 5 Spring Authors,' a recognition that has only strengthened as her readership grows.
For Sakvarlishvili, the Times Square feature represents the culmination of a deeply personal journey. Rising from an abandoned child raised by blind adoptive parents to a migrant caregiver in Italy, she eventually earned a Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Florence and immigrated to the United States in 2013. She remains an active leader in the fight for Georgian democracy, having personally led protests against pro-Russian forces in her homeland. 'Seeing my story—and the story of my country—lit up in the center of the world is a profound honor,' says Sakvarlishvili. 'Georgia is an ancient, beautiful nation that has been tested by empire and has paid a very high price for its freedom. I wrote this book so the world will finally understand our history and our ongoing fight for democracy.'
The book provides an emotionally detailed and data-driven account of Georgia's first decades of independence, weaving Sakvarlishvili's own resilience into a rigorous analysis of the nation's transformation. It examines the leadership of post-Soviet presidents and the sweeping reforms following the 2003 Rose Revolution, detailing the shift from a centrally planned command economy to a liberalized market system. The book confronts the structural realities of rebuilding a nation under pressure, caught between integration with Western institutions and systemic external pressure from Russia.
Sakvarlishvili's work has global implications, as it sheds light on the struggles of a nation that has long been at the crossroads of empires. Her message of resilience and democratic survival resonates not only with Georgians but with all those fighting for freedom worldwide. The Times Square campaign amplified this message, ensuring that the story of Georgia's ongoing fight for democracy reaches a global audience.
Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union is available for purchase globally through retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as through the official author website.
