Russia Books

Joseph Frank, generally considered the world's foremost expert on Dostoyevsky, provides all the background you would ever need to truly understand the great mind that was Dostoyevsky. An indispensable guide to the master's great works.

Joseph Frank's biography of Dostoievsky is a picture of the artist in the context of his century. It is not only a brilliant portrait of a great man but an image of nineteenth century Russia. It is neither patronizing nor overly analytic, but provides a taste of Dostoievky's life - making his thoughts, actions, and writings fuse into a coherent whole. I have probably read hundreds of biographies in my life and this one is the best.

We were studying immigration in school. So when the novel unit rolled around, I chose this. I loved it at the beginning that her sister saved her from not coming to America. That was so nice.
I think it was a little upsetting there with Blu. :( I feel so sad for her. Also for Zipporah's other sister who was treated like she was JUST because she wanted to marry a Catholic. That was so wrong. It was an excellent read though. I plan to read more of Kathryn's books.

This was the first Dear America diary I ever read, and I love it more than any of the others except A Picture Of Freedom. Perhaps it is because of what I learned in history as a young child about the Second World War, and the Civil War - but I have always had a special feeling about blacks and Jews. At any rate, "Zippy" and Clottee stole my heart. Dreams do come true.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Title: Eagles Over Berlin
Author: Kati Fabian

John and Esther fall in love. It sounds like a simple story line but it is not. John, American pilot during the Second World War, and Esther, survivor of the holocaust, meet at a volatile time in history, and their love supports and carries them through difficult times beyond their control. But this is not just a love story. It is a look into a time in history that few people understand. The Second World War was officially over but the Cold War was in its infancy, during which time, the Soviet Army blockaded West Berlin, an attempt to force communism on over two million people. Esther refused John's offer to escape the difficulties of this time and insisted on making the one decision that she could make on her own. Up until that time, everything that had happened to her was out of her control. She stayed in Berlin to help the cause, while John flew for the Airlift, transporting vital supplies that would save the lives of many in West Berlin.
Author, Kati Fabian's life had been affected by the Cold War years and her interest in finding the truth about a little talked about subject led her to write Eagles Over Berlin. She has filled the pages of this well written novel with facts that few would know, but softens the pain and fear with a love story that transcends the horror. This is a story of love, devastation, optimism and grief. But in many ways, it is an education. This reviewer better understands the workings of the Cold War and highly recommends Eagles Over Berlin to all those interested in learning more about this period of history. We must again make a stand against terrorism and it is heartening to be reminded that with perseverance, teamwork and love, there will be success.

Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews

As an American participant in the postwar years of Germany, including the period of the Blockade, I was drawn strongly to the descriptions and experiences of the characters in your book.

The book brought back many memories to me of the traumatic times and places described so vividly and yet clearly therein.

I couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading until the very end. Thank you for your memorable story.

Charles A. Bearchell, Ph.D.
Executive Director - German American Cultural Society, Los Angeles
Emeritus Professor, California State University, Northridge

East Prussians From Russia by Michael J. Anuta Review by DearMYRTLE © 2 February 1999

DearReaders, Originally published in 1979, little paperback book is so full of research ideas that Clearfield had to publish East Prussians From Russia two additional times, in 1994 and 1998. Chapter headings include: East Prussia, the Land and Early History A Refuge for the Persecuted Development under Prussian Rulers Our Forefathers in East Prussia Invitation to Vohlynia and Migration to the Promised Land The East Prussian Settlers in Vohlynia Baptist Faith and Beliefs Change in Russian Political Climate Preparations for a New Migration Journey to the New World The East Prussians in Wisconsin Church Life in Pound, Coleman and Vicinity East Prussians Became Americans

Pages 171-184 provide a list of immigrants, You also find an epilogue titled "Final Pilgrimage." The bibliography is listed on two pages of tiny print, with an additional page of suggested reading. Throughout the book are rough photocopies of maps, churches, farmlands, people tombstones, documents and such. From the publisher: "Following the subjugation of the indigenous Prusi people by the Teutonic Order during the 13th century, the region known as eastern Prussia emerged as a kind of haven for Christian settlement. During the 1860s, however, numerous East Prussians migrated to the Ukraine and the Russian province of Vohlynia in search of more abundant land. The promise of a better life in Russia proved to be short-lived, however, owing to the abolition of serfdom, universal military conscription, and Russian ethnocentrism. As a result, by the 1890s, large numbers of East Prussians from Russia began to emigrate to the United States, with many, like the author's parents, settling in Wisconsin.

This is the account of that historic pilgrimage, and it devotes ample space to both the European heritage of these Prussian-Americans and the Wisconsin settlements that ensued. Based upon years of research, East Prussians from Russia identifies some 240 Prussian families that re-settled in Marinette and Oconto counties, Wisconsin. Mr. Anuta furnishes the family member's year of birth, date entered the U.S., country of origin, port of entry, and date of death, as well as the name of his spouse, and her dates of birth and death. Also very useful are a number of plat maps showing the distribution of land in the aforementioned counties among East Prussian settlers around the turn of this century. Profusely illustrated, East Prussians from Russia also includes maps, facsimiles of source records, photographs of homes, schools, churches and other evidence of settlement in Germany, Russia, and Wisconsin."

If your ancestors spoke a German dialect and settled in either Marinette or Oconto county of Wisconsin at the end of the 19th century, you'll find this book a precious "window to the past." East Prussians from Russia is essential to your understanding of their hopes of a better life, the disappointments of life in Russia, the rigors of the final journey and establishment of permanent homes in the US.

East Prussians from Russia by Michael J. Anuta copyright 1979 295 pp. in all, Indexed. Illus. (1979), 1998. ISBN 0806314370

This is an excellent book for researching geneology from the Prussian (Eastern Germany) area. The book includes many pictures of the area in Prussia, Russia, and a list of names of the immigrants to northeastern Wisconsin. This list includes information such as: country of origin, port of entry, year of entry, spouses, and as many birth and death dates as the author could locate. It also includes a great deal of history of the Eastern Prussian area, life in East Prussia, and what prompted many people to immigrate first to Russia and then to America. The book goes on to provide a history of the Pound, Wisconsin area and it's people, complete with pictures.

this was a wonderful novel,and if u have any interest in imperial russia you will be very interested in this book.

I adored this book! Emily is the last book in the Kirov saga, after Anna and Fleur, and in my opinion, the best of the trilogy. It takes place in the declining years of Imperial Russia, and the Revolution. If you liked Anna and Fleur, you'll love Emily!

This book fills the gap that the Gulag Series is missing...The Personal Views..Much of the books on the gulag are scholarly estimates and observations, without the first hand eyewitness to the events. This book is created from exceprts from little heard of books about the Gulag published throughout its history, from the Time of The Great purge up To the Time when cold war tensions were "Loosening Up", when in fact the same hard conditions persisted...
The books writing quality as a whole is very good, the book is intresting and intriging to read, and also conveys deep details and vivid descriptions of the Gulag...Very much recommended to all readers.

"Enemies of the State" provides a riveting look into the slave-labor prisons of the Communist world during several decades of the 20th century. It brings history alive to a whole new generation of Americans who may be only vaguely aware of the oppression, torture and viciousness imposed on their countrymen by totalitarian leaders like Stalin, Mao, and Castro. The book contains 10 first-person accounts by people who spent years wrongfully imprisoned in slave-labor camps. Very much like the first-person accounts of Jews held in German concentration camps during the Holocaust, "Enemies of the State" also includes historical background and explanations of the political themes of the times. The book is factual and compelling for anyone over the age of 12. It is a great resource for high school or college students, and teachers and college professors. The general public will also find this book to be fascinating reading, although it is not for anyone with a weak stomach. The tortures and degradations described in the book are beyond imagination, but they are real and are presented in painful and vivid detail. Anyone with a love of history, however, will find this book to be an important addition to their library. I highly recommend it for youths and adults, and I especially encourage home schoolers to consider including this book in their studies.

Unless you are a history major from a very enlighten University I doubt you know even part of the history of the Christian Church and the Jewish People. This book opens a window into the soul of the relationship of the failure of the "Religion of Christianity" to minister the teachings of Jesus Christ to the Jewish People and it is long past time for individual Christians (and those within the organized Christian Church) to put the Teachings of Jesus (Yeshua) into POSITIVE ACTION toward God's Covenant People! The "Religion of Christianity" as practiced by too many in this world has led the way to anti-Semitism if not turned a blind eye to it and it is time for Christians to hold up Israel, the Jewish People Worldwide, Bless Them and Pray for them as this book so eloquently shows! If you believe in the word of God then this book is a must read!!!

This is a MUST READ for anyone who has a heart for the nation and people of Israel. Mr. Goll does an outstanding job in relating the history of the Jewish people as well as compel the reader to respond to the current, critical situation of the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. This book has prompted me to take on a fervency in prayer for Israel, as well as look for opportunities in my community to stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Thank you, Jim Goll, for giving us such wonderful information.

Like Melvyn Leffler, Zubok believes that Soviet decision making was constrained by ideology and personality. Zubok writes that ideology formed the basis for Stalins decisions regarding Germany. Stalin thought that his proposals for a neutral Germany and socialism in Eastern Germany would be enough for the Germans to flock to the Soviet cause. When this did not proved out to be true, Stalin militarized Eastern Europe for fear of a Western Germany with Western backing. Khruschev did not want to end the Cold War because he thought that Communism would eventually triumph and that he force the West to back down through the fear of nuclear war. Brezhnev implented detente because he feared war, but when he became ill, hard liners took over decision making and invaded Afghanistan. Gorbachev abandoned hardline Communist ideology and thought that a type of European Social Democracy would take over Eastern and this led to the Soviets leaving Eastern Europe in 1989. Hopefully Zubok along with Leffler and Tony Judt will get rid of the myth that Reagans's arm build up and hardline ideology was responsible for ending the Cold War.

This is an excellent overview of Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War. Judicious and fair, and drawing on much new information from the archives, one gets a sense that this will be the definitive work for some time. The only criticism I have is that I wish the author had dealt with the Sino-Soviet split in more depth. It is here, but only episodically brought in to the narrative. But all and all a great book and a fine read.

Farley's Follies (as the author renames this collection in his foreword) is an enchanting encounter with our Northern Neighbors. After the introduction of the sailing librarian father, and his floating boat-mobile, I was thoroughly locked into the magical land of travel via armchair. Clever illustrations could have (should have?) included a map as these stories take the reader all over Canada: Ontario, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and the tundra of Hudson Bay. Depression refugees, trading the re-invented fishing boat for the prairie ark/schooner, pet owls, a magic mutt, naturalist training, an artic expedition, sailing adventures, amazingly tolerant and encouraging parents, and letters home from WW2, the reader watches the man emerge in this an exceptional compilation.-Mamalinda

Like most Americans, I had never heard of Farley Mowat until I made the association of the Disney film "Never Cry Wolf" with his name on a book spine one day. I loved the movie, so I figured I might as well try out the book.

I adored Never Cry Wolf, but you often hear that a writer has one good book in him (or her), and after that it is all downhill. Furthermore, I looked in the library catalog and Mowat had dozens of titles! I had no idea which ones to try, they had odd titles! So I picked up this reader, to get an idea which of the titles I might want to pick out.

After reading this collection, I decided I wanted to read them all. Mowat is simply the best Canadian writer, and one of the top of this century, in my humble opinion. I have now read five of his books, and my collection continues to grow. Even the books that are represented as children's books (like The Dog Who Wouldn't Be) are a joy to adults as well.

Mowat has the keen eye of observation that Mark Twain had, but without the viciousness of the satire... he is much more coy and subtle in his musings on families and nature. Many of his works involve the Arctic north, Saskatchewan, the high seas, and animals; but I have yet to find a poorly written chapter in any of his works.

If you want some proof that Mowat is worth buying, pick up this Reader and see for yourself. I read a few small portions to my writers club as samples of excellent writing, and they loved it. It reads smoothly, like a storyteller would speak, like a Garrison Keilor tale.

He is a controversial figure, is my understanding. Purportedly, he is not allowed to visit the United States, because in one book he claimed to shoot his rifle at overflying US warplanes. Who knows if this is true; Mowat admits to a bit of freedom in embellishing a tale; which is only right, since it is more fun that way. Don't worry about these details, just read some of it and enjoy it.

I read this for fun, and it wasn't a waste of time. It was a little a slow, but the passion for life Trugenev has is clear and beautiful. This is a classic as good as anything I've ever read.

It does have slow points, and some of the plot may seem cliché. But, at the time it was original, and even now the dialogue is never (NEVER) cliché.

I was shocked by how much I loved this book.
Read it. Use a library if you can't afford it.

I read this novel in college (Russian Lit) - and find it more exciting and revelatory now. The edition is good and helpful.

I think the thing I enjoyed most about "Fathers and Sons" was that it was short. The great Russian classics we generally think of are "War and Peace", "Crime and Punishment", etc. These are all long, drawn out books. "Fathers and Sons", thankfully, is short(er), with fewer characters and less confusion as to which person is which, especially since few have similar last names. Confusion does arise between Nicholas Petrovich and Paul Petrovich, his brother. There it is important to remember who is who, but luckily, their personalities are very different and it becomes clear very soon.

Another thing that is nice about "Fathers and Sons" is that it's different. It is not a book of great dramatic fighting (though there is one). It feels human and realistic. All the characters have both virtues and flaws that are easy to relate to. The ending is sad, but at the same time it is happy. It doesn't feel over-done, and I especially liked how the romance stuck in was sweet and not too out-there.

The book also reflects the difficulties Russia had during that period of time. Things were changing and some didn't welcome the change as much as others. Things that had once been acceptable became strange, and the people who believed in the old things became outdated. This book shows the concept of a generation gap beautifully while maintaining an interesting plot and characters.

I recommend it, partially because it's simply a good book, and partially because it shows that not all Russian classics must be long, drawn-out, and with lots of complicated names. Turgenev, who came before Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, will hopefully remain with them on the literary level for a long time to come.