Description
Book SynopsisIn this wide-ranging collection from Professor Steven L. Hoch of Washington State University, various facets of the life of Russia’s rural population are examined, from banking crises and infectious diseases to peasant rituals and land reform. In contrast to longstanding interpretations of the Russian peasantry, Hoch’s work emphasizes the role of social, epidemiological, and ecological forces in the formation of rural Russian society. Using sources infrequently considered by previous scholars, he assesses the impact of the broad economy on shaping the government polices of emancipation and land reform and the long-term consequences of these policies on peasant material well-being.
Trade Review“For Steven Hoch, there is no such thing as conventional wisdom. With precise data, reasoned argument, and inimitable verve, he destroys long-lasting myths about Russia and its history. To understand how Russian peasants lived in the past and why their conditions changed over time, read this book!” -- Jane Burbank, New York University
