Russia Books

Bolotnikov, Razin, Bulavin and Pugachev are all names lost to history yet these were leaders of four extrodanary revolutions which rocked Russia between 1600 and 1800. These revolts were largly ignored by historians because, at the times when they happened they caused panic among the Russian ruling classes. All four were revolts of common people, peasants, townspeople, Cossaks, low ranking priests and monks, and common soldiers. Indeed the story of these rebellions is the story of the Russian underclass, the "dark people" whole lives are ignored by historians.

In this narrative we learn about Russian peasants were enslaved by great Russians starting with Ivan the Terrible. Later a Cossak revolutionary named Stenka Razin leads a revolt against unpopular religious reforms and the state of serfdom. Another Cossak leader Bulavin leads a rebellion against Peter "the Great," whose sought to build a western style state at the expense of common Russians. Finally we are told about the bloodiest revolt of all, Emelian Pugachev who declaired himself to be the murdered Czar, Peter III and brough terror to the regeim of Czarina Caterine "the Great," an "enlightened" ruler whose reforms stopped short of benifiting the great masses of Russian people.

In each revolt, the methods used were often cruel. But also in each the repression of the rebellions was equally severe. They were all acts of desperation by desperate people. Often the rebels were comprised of ignorant peasants who sought to free themselves from the oppression of severe rulers.

The author, Paul Avrich neither approves nor condemns the actions taken by the revolutionary leaders. Rather he explains in graphic detail the causes of the conflicts, the courses of events and gives an analysis of the importance of each of these four events in Russian history. Avrich then ties in the rebellions of this book with later revolutionary movements, the Decemberist rebels, the Nihilist-Anarchist movements of the 1860s and even the Bolshivik movement. All the same he makes it clear that the rebellions in question were attempts to go back in history to times of simplicity when an agrarian based peasant economy existed with free peasants worked and lived lives of simplicity. This would make these rebellions seperate from western influenced revolutionary activities of later generations, which were led by members of the intellegencia.

This is an exceptional little book which tells the story of the four largest peasant revolts in Russian history all of which were named for the leaders who inspired the revolts--Bolotnikov in 1606-1607, Razin in 1670-1671, Bulavin in 1707-1708, and Pugachev in 1773-1774.

Readers have always wondered why Russia has traditionally felt the need for a strong authoritarian central government. This book answers that question in part. The huge Russian empire was made up of many different ethnic groups. Ethnic jealousies, resulting in civil wars and foreign invasions were always the result of a weak Czar or a change of dynasty. Thus the social compact of the Russian state was that all groups must submit to the power of a Czar in order to survive. This is the reason for the god-like status and supreme power given to the Czar in the old Russian empire.

Saint, Satan, or the desire for magic and magical cures. The figure of the charismatic turns up again and again in history. But the marriage of the charismatic and 20th-21st century media is something quite new. Vinogradova has opened a door to an understanding of the hope and despair of those in the Communist Bloc who sought an age-old 'believer' remedy when all else had failed. Kashpirovsky's huge following is worth our attention. Vinogradova has tapped a vein of great interest in the West and let's hope to hear more from her gifted pen whether as research or fiction

I found this well-written account of the remarkable Kashpirovsky absolutely fascinating. The author researched her subject well and presented an unbiased account of Kashpirovsky's often controversial activities. A must read for all persons of present day Russian affairs.

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever reaad... It must be read to be experienced. (I cried at the end of this book, and I am not a weepy person!) Definitely worth owning a few copies, because you will want to lend it to people -- who will probably not want to give it back.

There is no better book you could read to give you a heart-sense of Orthodox Christian sanctity. And the book is NOT out of print; Amazon's information is outdated. It was reprinted in 1999, so go ahead and order it!

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up Kathleen Crane's memoirs of her experiences in graduate school at Scripps and her professional life. To many, it might seem that a book on oceanography is a bit too esoteric or "niche" to be of interest to the general public.

But "Sea Legs" is a truly fascinating, deeply (no pun intended) interesting book. For the scientifically inclined, the detailed descriptions of Crane's work will be of great interest. But the general reader benefits the most from this book, as the reader accompanies Crane and her colleagues on numerous voyages of discovery to fascinating destinations. "Sea Legs" is well worth your time, and beleive me, it is a real page turner.

Sea Legs: Tales Of A Woman Oceanographer is the personal and inspiring story of Kathleen Crane, one of the first female oceanographers to earn her credentials at the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. From research on undersea volcanoes, to meeting and befriending Soviet Union scientists during the height of the cold war, Sea Legs is a memorable and informative autobiographical journey filled with a love of science, a respect for the sea, and the sheer joy of reaching out to embrace the world.

This book is visually stunning, and should be owned by anyone who treasures real insight into the lives of the Rom. The photo quality is award-winning, and the candor in the faces of the subjects gives one a glimpse behind the usual self-protective personas is one is used to seeing. Several of the photographs of the children, in particular, stopped my heart. Friends who have picked up the book to glance through it have expressed the same feeling. There is a texture to the photographs that makes your fingers twitch to reach in and examine further. I treasure this book.

A poetic journey deep into the lives of the Roma people living in the former republics of the Soviet Union. Should be on your bookshelf next to Koudelka's Gypsies.

Lysakowski, the author, grew up in Luck (Lutsk), Wolyn (Volhynia), then eastern Poland. He elaborates on his childhood, and then describes the situation just before the war. Polish-speaking Germans hindered the mobilization of Polish troops (p. 23), and later engaged in fifth-column activities.

After Poland was conquered by the Germans and Soviets, he was rousted out of bed at 2:30 AM, one March 1940 day, by the NKVD. Their interrogation methods were brutal. He spent time in Soviet prisons, using a prison-made Morse code for communication with other prisoners (p. 66). In that prison, tensions between Poles and Ukrainian separatists were also evident.

Deep in the USSR, he contended with severe winters. He had to labor in minus-20 to minus-40 degree weather daily in January, February, and March. To battle scurvy, he had to drink Khwoya--a concoction made of cedar needles.

After Germany attacked its erstwhile Soviet ally, many of the Poles were freed. Lysakowski recounts Christmas Eve 1941 as being especially joyful in this regard. He went to Samarkand, and enjoyed the hospitality of the Uzbeks. Then it was on to Iran, Iraq, and England--where he served in the RAF. After the war, he immigrated to the USA.

This book is gripping. After the first couple of chapters I could not put it down until I finished it. It is a great true story about surviving the Russian Death Camps in Siberia.

I love this book as I'm directly descendant to them through my great-grandmother on my mom's side in Germany. I love this book alot nice to have something from people your related to.

Osherenko and Golonev have created a work that satisfies scientific researchers, sociologists and casual readers alike. The story of the Nenet people is a fine blend of history, folklore, and sharp realism. The assessments come from professionals who have had real experience; understand political dynamics of both the FSU and the world community; and who can apply their findings to view, to some extent, the future of the Yamal. The authors deeply care about the people of the Yamal and their Arctic environment from both personal and scientific perspectives. They supply the reader with an in-depth view of a society that may represent other societies around the Arctic regions. The Nenets' story is unique in one respect but also applies to Arctic regions in general. Read this book to understand a key issue in world politics and international trade. Read this book to understand use of "The Commons". Read this book to understand indigenous peoples and their struggles. Read this book.

This book & CD combo provides an easy to follow format that lends itself well to memorization of key phrases that will be of great use when meeting your waiting child. How comforting to him/her to hear familiar words and phrases from his new family. I also listen to the CD in the car and get strange looks from others. Once home I try my newly learned phrases out on my dog, Otis. At first he would turn and walk away, but now he understands several of the phrases especially related to food, water, and toys. This is the best and most practical book & CD that I have come across and I strongly recommend it to anyone traveling to Russia for an adoption. Best of luck to all!

I love the book and CD. It has phrases which are specifically usefully with children. It is easy to use and easy to find phrases you are looking for. I have been playing the CD in the car and chuckle as I mangle repeating the Russian phrases and I think I'm scaring the other drivers, but it's easy to follow along which is what I need. If you are looking for a few phrases to get you by during the adoption process, this product is great.

This book is a sweet story about an old couple that is sad because they cannot have a child, so they make one for themselves out of snow. She comes to life, and is a perfect child to them, and they love her. But when summer comes and the weather gets warmer, the snow child is forced to flee to colder weather. The old couple becomes sadder than ever without their little snow child. But when the first snow comes, guess who comes back with it.

The illustrations are pretty and colorful. They are not completely realistic, but rather they capture the feeling of the story. They are slightly whimsical and they are playful. While pictures of the snow child tend to feature blues and white, the illustrations are also bright and bold when required.

The story is told well in a simple manner that flows well. It is not choppy, and easy to read out loud. It is a very charming story, with cute pictures.

Loggie-log-log-log

This is such a wonderful story of a childless couple who finally realize their dream . It is a story of hope...... the couple is rewarded for their patience and belief in miracles. I've enjoyed reading it to my children as much as they enjoy hearing it.

This book is a throughly history of the art of painting in Russia and the USSR from the point of view of the Realist school of painting that began to exist in the 2nd. half of the XIXth. century and, after the October 1917 Revolution, vied for supremacy with the Futurist school about the right to represent the socialist political project in form and content. The book examines the supramacy of Socialist Realism in the field of visual arts since Stalin's rise to absolute power until the demise of the USSR.

The book is encyclopaedic in both narrative and visual terms, since it combines an exahaustive historical account with an astounding array of 1st rate reproductions, taken from all corners of the former Soviet Union.The main shortcoming of the book would be only that, since it dwells not only in the history of Socialist Realist painting as such, but also of its ideological politic foundations (superbly examined) the books requires a prospective reader that has not only a general interest in the relationship between Art and Politics, but also an specific interest in both Soviet and Marxist studies. It's, nonethless, this interdisciplinary aspect that makes for much of the work's charm.

Excellent reproductions, fascinating paintings, excellent scholarship by Mr. Bown. I also highly recommend all his other books on Russian / Soviet art.