Introduction to Russian Mennonites: A Story Of Flights And Resettlements-- To Homelands In The Ukraine, The Chaco, T

by Wally Kroeker

          Mennonites in Russia? Invited by Catherine the Great to farm the Russian steppes -- in exchange for exemption from military service -- Mennonite emigrants from Polish Prussia and The Netherlands made their home in Russia. Some remain today; many more eventually left for North and South Americas and Europe. Nearly all retain memories and stories from that place -- unbelievable prosperity for some; unspeakable terror for many; church tensions; struggles between the landed and the landless; exquisite clockmaking, storytelling, musicmaking, and food.           Himself a Russian Mennonite, Kroeker heads into the history, but also the later movement of these people to the U.S. and Canada. Are they at all distinctive today? What has drawn some to the cities and professions, and others to the rural prairies? What about those in Europe, and those still in the former Soviet Union? Kroeker tells it all with vibrancy -- the overview and the memorable details. Includes dozens of historic and contemporary photographs.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

122 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers exactly what it says on the cover. A concise, very readable history of Mennonite emigrations.

[Carita Keim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a condensed introduction to a complex history, this is the book for you. The Russian Mennonite story is an endlessly fascinating one, but because of its complexity, is often a difficult one to track. This provides some basic details of most of the main immigrations of the Russian Mennonites and doesn't get bogged down in the data.

[Kaylee Rockbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This did its job well. I wanted to know more about the history and customs of a group I didn’t know much about, and this did so in an informative and straight forward way. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re looking for straightforward nonfiction specifically about Russian Mennonites, though. It’s not nonfiction that’s going to be a hit if you’re not already interested

[Jack Janzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet but packed full of the main points of this group which I am a part of.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction and overview of the Russian Mennonites, particularly their transitions from Russia to the Americas.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history from pre Russia to today and how and why they migrated. The two large colonies: Choritza and Molotchna, the 1873 immigration to the U.S. middlewest, 1920's to Canada, 1930 and 40's to Paraguay.

[Jon Newswanger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have read something a little more scholarly. This was just an overview for people who have little knowledge of who the Mennonites are in general, let alone the Russian Mennonites in specific. As a result, I didn't really learn much that I didn't already know.

[Peggy House · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned enormous knowledge reading this book and gained tremendous respect for not only my forefathers, but friends who have endured. In addition, I was captivated by the author's writing style, and kept highly focused throughout.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Tasara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew! Finished a mere 3 days before heading to the Ukraine.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short book that provides the history of the Mennonites in Russia.

[Mykyta Kuzmenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Описание маленькой, но очень важной группы, некогда населявшей северное приазовье.

[Shirley]

church library - easy read, concise