The German-Russians in Words and Pictures

by William Bosch

The Germans from Russia were one of the most significant ethnic settlement groups of the Great Plains of North America, but their ethnic consciousness was late in stirring. "When I was growing up in the southern part of North Dakota, all of my relatives spoke a German dialect," writes the author. "None of us ever asked how this came to be." William Bosch writes, then, as a matter of self-discovery that he shares with fellow German-Russians and with the rest of the world. His story of how the German-Russian people came to be on the North American plains, and his description of their distinctive folkways, serves as an accessible introduction to the Germans from Russia.

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kristi Thielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effective, simply written book about a people whose history is anything but simple. The German-Russians left their home country in the 18th century, enticed into Russia by the "benevolent" policies of Catharine the Great. They arrive, only to find that many of the material items promised them would not be available and several of the key provisions provided them would not last as long as they expected.

Despite this, they built homes and farms and businesses and soldiered on, until several generations had passed and the reasons they had left Germany in the first place came back to haunt them in their new country: increasingly scarce farmland and conscription in the Army.

And so many of them came to the U.S. in the late 19th century. Where they started all over again, and in equally bleak conditions. They persevered once more.

And they were lucky to do so, since those who remained in Russia were helplessly caught up in some of the most violent eras of 20th century history.

The book has a number of quality photos and provides details of daily life that make the story especially engrossing.

[Pablo Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information presented in this book is valuable, and it is an easy and short read. There are not a lot of books on the German-Russians so I would recommend this book.

However, it reads like a rough draft that needs some further research and expansion. The author seems unsure of his facts. For example on page 94: "It is probably", "As far as I can determine", "They appear to be", "It may have been possible", etc.

I know the author is from North Dakota, but there needs to be better balance. One single paragraph mentions German-Russian settlement in Kansas and Nebraska while 22 pages chronicle the German-Russian settelemnt of the Dakotas.

There also needs to be much more about what happened to the German-Russians (the majority) who did not emigrate to the Americas. The Epilogue was not enough to cover that topic.

A good book that needs an expanded, better-researched second edition.

[Steven A. Odenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book corroborates and elaborates on much of the family lore I heard from pioneer relatives while growing up in a German-Russian community in McPherson County, South Dakota. Very interesting and a great read!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read, helped understand our heritage

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The biggest omission the author should have covered is the history of German-Russians in Canada. They have played a major role in the history of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

How the book could have been better: larger photographs, more maps, details about German-Russians in what is now Poland and the Volnyia area.

[Thomas Isern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed this work in my weekly feature, Plains Folk. An identity book, defining what it means to be German-Russian.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting, but could have been so much more. If you read it as just an overview of Germans from Russia the I think you will find what you need.