Russia Books

This is a wonderful book for anyone just entering into Russian literature (or someone who has yet to gain a passion for reading). Dostoevsky is very poignant and clearly articulates the feelings humans go through, including the inner turmoil associated with daily life... Great night time reading.

One night i decided to "start" the first story in the book, The Double. I was up a little past four in the morning, finishing the story. I was simply enthralled. I continued in this fashion for eight days; until i had finished all eight stories. Dostoevsky seems to have endowed every piece of everything he ever wrote with complete brilliance. Though my favorite story in the collection was Notes From the Underground, all the stories were generally entertaining and almost always enlightening.

This collection can be recommended to anyone interested in sampling Dostoyesvky's shorter fiction; it contains within the one volume a good number of stories which in other editions (Penguin and Oxford) fill more than one volume.

The short stories themselves are just sublime and should not be overlooked by those who tend to think that the best work will be necessarily contained in the novels. The Double is my favourite; it is an especially humorous tale, though sombre in its overall vision. Notes from the Underground is seminal, of course, and is probably the most important story included; A Gentle Creature is disturbing.

If you are a reader of Russian Literature, or simply a lover of encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works, "Handbook of Russian Literature" is something you might want in your library. The "Handbook" has nearly one thousand entries, large and small, providing comprehensive coverage, in a single volume, of every aspect of Russian literature during the past ten centuries. A large format book with small print and double columns on each page, the "Handbook" contains entries written by over one hundred leading scholars and ably edited by Victor Terras.

The entries range from one or two lines to several thousand words over several pages. There are biographical entries of Russian authors, little and well known, as well as entries on various genres, historical periods, literary movements, literary journals and periodicals, and critical theories. Each entry includes a bibliography and, in addition, there is a useful general bibliography, broken out by historical periods, at the end of the book. The "Handbook" is, in other words, a perfect reference and entrée into the world of Russian literature. I find myself dipping into this book often, at random, and never fail to learn something new and interesting. I also use it as a valuable source of background reading when I sit down to read a Russian author.

The only shortcomings of the "Handbook" are that its print is very small (allowing the book, of course, to cram an immense amount of information in less than 600 pages) and that it devotes little coverage to authors of roughly the last quarter of the twentieth century, including some of the so-called "dissident" authors who wrote in the years immediately preceding publication (a shortcoming, however, that is excusable because most of the research for the "Handbook" was done in the early 1980s and the book was published in 1985). Also, while the bibliographies are useful for the casual reader, serious research requires reference to more recent sources.

This is a great book for anybody who is studying or likes reading Russian Literature. It has an informative article on practically every Russian writer that you'll need to know about, although a few of the more contemporary ones are omitted.

In addition to providing a thorough biographical sketch for each author, it also mentions the major works of each author and gives critical opinions and brief analyses of many of the works. The major translations available are listed at the end of each entry.

I like reading the sketch on an author before I begin reading his or her work. It provides a great introduction.

If you are a reader of Russian Literature, or simply a lover of encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works, "Handbook of Russian Literature" is something you might want in your library. The "Handbook" has nearly one thousand entries, large and small, providing comprehensive coverage, in a single volume, of every aspect of Russian literature during the past ten centuries. A large format book with small print and double columns on each page, the "Handbook" contains entries written by over one hundred leading scholars and ably edited by Victor Terras.

The entries range from one or two lines to several thousand words over several pages. There are biographical entries of Russian authors, little and well known, as well as entries on various genres, historical periods, literary movements, literary journals and periodicals, and critical theories. Each entry includes a bibliography and, in addition, there is a useful general bibliography, broken out by historical periods, at the end of the book. The "Handbook" is, in other words, a perfect reference and entrée into the world of Russian literature. I find myself dipping into this book often, at random, and never fail to learn something new and interesting. I also use it as a valuable source of background reading when I sit down to read a Russian author.

The only shortcomings of the "Handbook" are that its print is very small (allowing the book, of course, to cram an immense amount of information in less than 600 pages) and that it devotes little coverage to authors of roughly the last quarter of the twentieth century, including some of the so-called "dissident" authors who wrote in the years immediately preceding publication (a shortcoming, however, that is excusable because most of the research for the "Handbook" was done in the early 1980s and the book was published in 1985). Also, while the bibliographies are useful for the casual reader, serious research requires reference to more recent sources.

if you want to have a ideal about inner workings of russia this book will do.walter g. moss books on russia are well done.

BRAND NEW BOOK FOR A USED PRICE. LOOKED NEW, FELT NEW, EVEN SMELLED NEW. EXCELLENT DEAL.

Now in a revised second edition reflecting the latest research findings and controversies on multiple subjects, A History Of Russia Volume I: To 1917 by Walter G. Moss (Department of History and Philosophy, Eastern Michigan University) is the first of a comprehensive two-volume set that, in addition to the sweeping events of Russian political history, takes note of the everyday life, women's studies, religion, literature, and art of Russia. A History Of Russia Volume I: To 1917 is an expertly presented and thoroughly informative narration recommended for a scholar's Russian History reference shelf, as well as accessibly informative reading for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the historical development of Russia.

Mr. Magocsi's "History of Ukraine" often takes a second billing to Mr. Subtelny's "Ukraine: A History" - and I think, unfairly. Both have a lot to offer, and frankly, no passionate student of Ukrainain history should choose one over the other. He or she should get both. A wealth of information, and first rate scholarship are impressive. Mr. Magocsi has done a first rate job. Mychajlo Hrushevsky would approve of both, and we should too.

From pre-history to Independence in 1991, this book surveys the history of Ukraine and its people. It is unique in not only portraying the history of the Ukrainian people but also includes the other peoples who live or have lived in the land now known as Ukraine.

The organization of the book is chronological with 49 chapters divided into ten parts. Each part covers a significant period in Ukrainian history: Pre-Kievan Times; the Kievan Period; the Lithuanian-Polish Period; the Cossack State; the Hetmanate; Ukraine in the Russian Empire; Ukraine in the Austrian Empire; World War I; the Interwar Years; and, World War II & the Postwar Years. Forty-two black-and-white maps help illustrate the concepts described in the text. Also included are thirty-six textual inserts which provide lengthy quotes of important documents. Sometimes these feel redundant because the author has described so well the events highlighted by the inserted texts.

For readers to whom 700 pages of Ukrainian history is not enough and who want to learn more about specific events or periods described in this book, Magocsi provides a forty page bibliographic essay called: For Further Reading. One of the great stumbling blocks for English-speaking readers who want to learn Ukrainian history is the fact that so many Ukrainian sources have not been translated. A great feature of this bibliography is that the vast majority of the works listed are in English.

Ukrainian history is complex. This book, although daunting to read because of its size and depth of coverage, can help the student of Ukrainian history untangle the puzzles of Ukraine and its people. It is a great reference work that belongs in the library of anyone interested in the subject.

A beautifully written history of outstanding excellence. I have found it most helpful. Professor Magocsi is to be commended on a another success.

Many books have been written on the Red Army and its performance during the Great Patriotic War but none has the depth of scholarship and the wealth of data that Dunn's work contains. The book is divided in chapters about the armored forces, the artillery, the infantry, the industrial production etc. and the reader will be captivated by the statistics which reveal the colossal scale of the Red Army's "come back" after the initial disastrous defeats it suffered in 1941-42. The essence of the book is to prove that the final victory of the Soviets over Nazi Germany was not only the product of fine operational art and courage by the common soldier, but also of a unique and massive industrial effort which outproduced the Third Reich in all kinds of armaments.

This book, despite its repetitive style, is simply the best in-depth analysis of the evolution of the Soviet Army in WWII, at least in English. It is therefore, despite its rather high price, essential reading for anyone interested in the Eastern Front. It is also complemented by Steve Zaloga's "Red Army Handbook", with its invaluable TO&Es which document graphically the evolution analysed in this book.

This book is an important piece of scholarship which is based on Russian and German primary sources. It seeks to look at the Red Army and why it was able to defeat the Germans. Conventional histories have relied on the myth that Germany, a smaller country than the Soviet Union was in the end overwhelmed by hoards of poorly armed Soviet troops dying as they attacked the superbly trained but numerically weaker German Army.

Dunn shows that the victory of the forces of the Soviet Union was something that was unexpected. In 1942 Germany not only controlled all of Europe but also 60 million Soviet citizens. The Germans had a far greater pool of labor and industry to draw on. Rather than the Soviets having vast reserves of manpower by 1943 they had to reduce the size of infantry regiments as they ran out of troops. They key to Soviet success was not the numbers of men but the increase in the number of tanks and other equipment in Soviet formations which were used as a substitute for men. This was made possible by the Soviet command economy that was able to divert almost all production to the war effort. This contrasted to Germany and its allies who squandered its resources up till 1944 by which time it was to late.

Dunn's work like his well researched "Kursk Hitlers Gamble" is a vital book for anyone wanting to understand the true nature of the second world war and why Germany lost. A must read.

This book is a great read for both newbies to the Romanovs as well as buffs. It is lushly illustrated with rare photos, first hand accounts from Gibbes as well as the children's other tutors, and gets into the imprisonment better than most books I have read about the Romanovs. Being the buff that I am (;)
I was not dissapointed, and i don't think you will be either.

This is a wonderful book that describes the last days of Czar Nicholas II and his family. The emphasis is on the children --- son Alexis and daughters Anastasia, Maria, Tatyana, and Olga.

The book is based on the recollections of the children's tutor, Pierre Gilliard, who accompanied them in exile for a time. It is filled with photographs, letters, and other memorobilia from Monsieur Gilliard's collection. These provide a delightful side to the tragic story of the last days of the Romanovs.

It is a pity that this wonderful book is out of print.

"The House of Special Purpose" is compiled from the papers of Charles Sydney Gibbes (or Gibbs), English tutor to the children of Tsar Nicholas II. J. C. Trewin did an excellent job of going through Gibbs' papers and combining them with published sources to form a fascinating narrative. The photographs, too, are well-chosen. The Russian revolution happens a third of the way through the book; however, Gibbs was with the family in their captivity in Siberia, and has interesting anecdotes and dimensions to add. One complaint is the lack of a proper bibliography. While "House of Special Purpose" was mostly based on unpublished sources, it would be nice to know at a glance what other sources Trewin consulted. (Sometimes sources are given in footnotes at the bottom of the page; other times they are not.) Similarly, an index might have been nice. However, these are both stylistic complaints. This is an interesting book, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the last tsar. It is, as other reviewers have said, a shame that it is out of print and hard to find.

My 3-year-old great niece is really into ballet, and she loves having this book read to her. The story is so well written, I'm sure this book will continue to be one of her favorites for years to come.

Taken from her 1922 memoirs, Pages Of My Life, dancer Anna Pavlova tells of her first experience at the ballet as a little girl. Her simple and gentle words are full of imagery and passion as she relates the wonder of watching the Sleeping Beauty ballet...the sounds of Tchaikovsky's music, the mesmerizing beauty of the dancers, and the roar of the audience. On that thrilling afternoon her love affair with dance began, and a dream commenced that set the course of her life. Ms Pavlova's lovely text is enhanced by the magic and wonder of Edgar Degas' paintings. His artwork transports the reader back to this long ago performance, and together words and art bring that day to life. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, I Dreamed I Was A Ballerina includes short biographies of both Pavlova and Degas, to complete the story, and is a masterpiece to be treasured by aspiring ballerinas and artists, everywhere.

Yes, this is a beautiful, moving story of a girl's dream come true. I bought it for my 6 year-old grandaughter who loves her ballet lessons. I hope the book will encourage her to pursue her own dreams, whatever they may be. This is an example of a classic in children's literature. It can be read again and again and has life lessons for the young and the old.

this story really did move me !saddness ,joy ,hatred and above all pity and love for the faithful Inav Petrovitch,the loving Natasha ,the spitful Prince and the Proud little Nellie! such books are written only once in a lifetime of a special Genius ,wounderfull .

My first Dostoyevsky work, and the best I've read so far. Do not miss it! I was lucky enough to get this book as a gift from a relative in Belarus. The translation captures Dostoyevsky exctremely well. In simplistic terms, this is a "love story," Dostoyevsky style. That discription does not do it justice, though. Do not be turned off, this is NOT Danielle Steele or some other WalMart romance brand. The emotion is subtle, but gripping. The characters are such that a reader will relate to this story intimately. You will not be able to tear yourself away from this tale of human weakness as it appears on so many levels and in such provoking form. A must have for a fan of great Russian literature.

Fans of Fyodor Mikailovich, don't miss this one! A jewel of a story which gripped me from the first page, with the death of the old man's dog, to the last, with (read it and see).

Little Nellie, a relatively minor character, could fill a whole book by herself. Other characters are familiar, but even better (if possible) versions of those from his more widely-read works. The Aloysha/Myshkin character, vivid and true-to-life, shows the destructive side of innocence in a way that his dopplegangers have not. Every person in this story is so real I felt I already knew them all.

The story involves irresistable passion, unbearable sorrow, gentle love unswayed by ruinous insult, and the impossibility and inevitability of forgiveness. Multiple conflicting emotions battle it out in every breast. I have read this book at least five times. I can't recommend it enough.

I bought "Jonah and Sarah" based on a positive review I read and I enjoyed this collection a great deal. The short stories are moving and offer fascinating perspectives on Jewish life in the Soviet Union, immigration and Jewish émigrés in America. The translations are superb. What makes the collection special is that it was edited by the author's son and is a labor of love. I recommend it highly. I think it would make a great holiday gift!

I am a very picky reader, the type who never gets past the first two pages if the book doesn't grab me. I want to share with the other readers out there that from the first page on I couldn't put "Jonah and Sarah" down. I absolutely loved it. I recommend this book very highly to all lovers of great evocative fiction. David Shrayer-Petrov is a wonderful storyteller. A handsome jacket and beautiful design make is a great present--for Chanukah or other holidays. Buy this book!

I have just completed reading this collection of short stories and am moved by their sheer beauty and powerful message. Shrayer is a first rate literary artist, and it is so wonderful that his author son, Maxim, was able to translate them so the English speaking world could benefit from their aesthetic power. It would have been a shame if Shrayer's stories had not made it to the west, because they have so many compelling and exquisite things to say about being human under extraordinary circumstances. This is a book that deserves a wide readership. Rarely does a work of literature strike as many high notes as this one.

My great great grandparents lived in Kamenets. Their children spread thruout that region before they and their children left for America, Israel, Moscow, and South Africa. This book's explanation of the 19th Century social and economic order of this town and its environs finally allows me to understand, interpret and to place into perspective the stories my grandfather told especially in regard to Jews, the Polish overlords, Belarussian serfs and Russian rulers. Anyone interested in Jewish "family history" of that area of Grodno will greatly appreciate this book.

My next-door neighbor raved about this book when he read the Hebrew translation. It was more recently translated into English and I received a copy as a birthday gift. There is a very long introduction that I suggest that readers read only after reading the actual memoir first. The intro then becomes much more meaningful.

The book was written in 1913 and describes what life was like in Kamenetz - the shtetel that he grew up in. It was a typical Eastern European shtetel and the period the book covers is the 1850's and 1860's. It is amazing how the author so clearly captures the spirit of that period. He wrote the memoir as a series of little vignettes - each one describing a different aspect of life in his village. Some of the stories are comical and some are sad. Relations with the non-Jewish population is discussed as well as the relations with the representatives of the Tsar.

My grandparents came from Eastern Europe and after reading this book I felt that I was given a rare treat - a glimpse into my own past.

Okay, so I Google myself. That's how I discovered this astonishing memoir, published (1913) in Warsaw in Yiddish, by a man who may or may not be my blood. I read the Hebrew translation in 2001 and corresponded a bit with Editor/Translator Dr. Assaf, a professor of Jewish History at Tel Aviv University. Assaf is a thorough and inspired scholar. The Hebrew edition was superb, and the English edition is, too.

Yekhezkel Kotik was born into one world and lived long enough to die in another, one in which nearly all physical remants of the old were vanished. An essentially medieval culture, on the periphery of the Russian Empire, unchanged for nearly a milleniuum, was in the course of Yekhezkel's adulthood swept away by the ripples of modernity which swept through the Russian Empire.Kotik was born in a small town in the Belarus -Lithuanian region of the Pale of Settlement, at a time when most men expected to spend their entire lives within a few kilometers of the spot where they came into the world. The 19th Century, however, did not end as it had begun. The emergence of industry, global commerce and the fundamental transformations of political economy which devolved from and fueled these tectonic shifts set people in motion to an unprecedented degree.
Kotik's adult life was strikingly modern. He resettled himself several times in different towns in Belarus and the Ukraine, operating ( with generally disappointing results) a series of businesses. He came to rest in cosmopolitan Warsaw, where he opened what turned into a thriving coffee house much favored by the city's Jewish intellectuals, artists, activists, bon pensants and bon vivants. Yekhezkel flourished in this milieu, and became locally famous as an organizer and promoter of all manner of cooperative societies.

Late in his life, Yekhezkel's socialist son Avraham urged him to write a memoir. It had become clear by this time, the early 20th Century, that the millenium of shtetl life in the Pale of Settlement would otherwise leave few traces of its existence. Yekhezkel, who had never before written anything but pamphlets and corporate by-laws, applied himself to the project and produced the first volume of a planned three. The book was made available to the leading Yiddish writer of the time, Sholom Aleichem, who declared it superior to anything he himself had written. Kotik's subsequent efforts were somewhat less well received, but now I'm giving away too much !

For me, Yekhezkel Kotik is an inventor, possibly the greatest of all time. He invented a time machine.


Paul Kotik
Plantation, FL USA