Description
Book SynopsisThe Russian Century is the most comprehensive and accessible collection of readings devoted to Russian culture and civilization. The fascinating first-person accounts paint a vivid picture of the Russian people through the turbulent years of the collapse of the Soviet Union. This book allows readers to see Russia through the private lives of people who come from diverse backgrounds, various educational and socio-economic experiences, and a broad geographic spectrum. Diary entries, personal sketches, memoirs, and letters tell these stories in an intimate and authentic voice of immediate experience rather than the distant, general flow of history. Translated into English for the first time, personal matters as well as the larger social and political context are revealed in a manner that provides significant insight into a powerful, distinctive, and influential culture. All too often the Russian experience has been presented as either horrific or heroic. This volume goes beyond that approach and deals with areas which have received little or no attention to existing studies of Russian history and culturelove, sexuality, courtship, marriage, family life, work, education, and religion.
Trade ReviewThe editors undertook the ambitious task of presenting over a hundred years of Russia's history. . . . The chronological scope of The Russian Century is quite impressive and takes its readers across major milestones of Russian history. . . . The wide range of voices makes this volume an indispensable tool for teaching undergraduate courses in Russian culture. * The Russian Review, Winter 2009 *
Wonderful and handy collection of writings that renders to the reader a multiplicity of private Russian worlds. . . . The book makes a rich, contextual supplement to any course on Russian civilization or twentieth-century Russian literature in translation. . . . Excellent collection. * Slavic and East European Journal, Fall 2009 *
This is an enlightening, well-structured collection....striking. * The Keene Sentinel, February 2009 *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Acknowledgements Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Glossary of Terms Part 4 Part I: The Vanished Presence: Russia Before 1914 Chapter 5 Viktor Chernov, Idylls on the Volga Chapter 6 Sergie N. Durylin, Domestic Love Chapter 7 Sofia Kovalevskaia, A Thief in the House Chapter 8 Oleg Pantiukhov, A Student's Summer Chapter 9 Aleksandra Tyrkova-Williams, A Women's History Chapter 10 Nikolai Volkov-Muromtsev, Memories Chapter 11 Vladimir Zensinov, Coming of Age Chapter 12 Vasilii Nikiforov-Volgin, Presanctified Gifts Chapter 13 Mark Vishniak, In Two Worlds Chapter 14 Konstantin Paustovskii, Commencement Revelry Part 15 Part II: Instability and Dislocation: 1914-1929 Chapter 16 Georgii Altaev, How I Became a Cub Scout Chapter 17 Nikolai Filatov: A Soldier's Letters Chapter 18 Konstantin Paustovskii, Save Your Strength Chapter 19 Roman Gul, We're in Power Now Chapter 20 Sergei Mamontov, Civil War: A White Army Journal Chapter 21 Vera Volkonskaia, Orphaned by Revolution Chapter 22 Mikhail Gol'dshtein, My First Recital Chapter 23 Vikto Kravchenko, Youth in Red Chapter 24 Vasilii Ianov, The Heart of a Peasant Part 25 Part III: Unrelenting Order and Terror: 1930-1953 Chapter 26 B. Brovtsyn, Dearly Beloved Chapter 27 Tat'iana Fresenko, Internal Dissenter Chapter 28 Nila Magidoff, Only to Travel! Only to Live! Chapter 29 Tat'iana Fresenko, War-Scorched Kiev Chapter 30 Elena I. Kochina, Blockade Diary Chapter 31 N. Ianevich, Literary Politics Chapter 32 K. Vadot, The Terrorist Part 33 Part IV: Apogee and Fracture: 1954-1991 Chapter 34 Mariia Shapiro, A Soviet Capitalist Chapter 35 Valerii Leviatov, My Path to God Chapter 36 Valentin Kataev, A Paschal Memory Chapter 37 Kirill Kostsinskii [K.V. Uspenskill], A Dissident's Trial Chapter 38 Iurii Krotkov, The KGB in Action Chapter 39 Vladimir Azbel, Siberian Adversity 40 Leonid Shebarshin, Three Days in August
