"What I Received from God and from People" is a story about Helena Modjeska (1840-1909), the most famous American actress of her time, who, thanks to her extraordinary talent and brilliant interpretations of Shakespearian heroines, popularized Shakespeare's plays in America. Modjeska appeared on many stages, big and small; on the one hand she repeatedly performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York (where she closed her career with a memorable performance) and on the other hand, reached the stages of numerous provincial theaters all over the United States and Canada. Her successes were regularly reported in national and local newspapers, where she received enthusiastic reviews. She was famous and extremely popular among the American and Canadian audiences. The book presents Modjeska's personal life and her professional triumphs and failures, as well as some difficult choices she had to face and tough decisions she had to make. It shows how the two sides of her life ? the real and the stage life ? interlaced. Even though the book can be read in two evenings, it leaves a lasting impression of an exceptional person and an outstanding American actress-immigrant, a portrait of an artist in her epoch.