Tiny Revolutions in Russia

by Bruce F. Adams

This book presents a large collection of anecdotes and jokes from different periods of the 20th century. Anecdotes and jokes were a hidden form of discursive communication in the Soviet era, lampooning official practices and acting as a confidential form of self-affirmation. They were not necessarily anti-Soviet, by their very nature both criticising existing reality and acting as a form of acquiescence. Above all they provide invaluable insights into everyday life, and the attitudes and concerns of ordinary people. The book also includes anecdotes and jokes from the post-Soviet period, when ordinary people in Russia continued to have to cope with rather grim reality, and the compiler provides extensive introductory and explanatory matter to set the material in context.

Genres: History, Russia

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brilliant, being both funny and informative at the same time. I have read several collections of anekdoty, but without any real background in the history they were just anthologies of humour without any thread to them. This, though, puts the stories into context, organising them more-or-less chronologically and explaining the historical moments that they arose from. I would recommend it highly to people who are interested in learning some Soviet history; I feel it gave me a very broad overview of the period, along with enough little bits and pieces of detail that any further reading I do will have something to crystallise around. And it really was funny -- I laughed aloud at several points, and even memorised a few of my favourites.

Two examples:
#337
Alexander the Great, Caesar, and Napoleon are guests of honor watching Soviet troops parade on Red Square.

"If I had had Soviet tanks," says Alexander, "I would have conquered the whole world."

"If I had had Soviet planes," says Caesar, "I would have conquered the whole world."

"If I had had Pravda," says Napoleon, "the world would still not have heard about Waterloo."

#177
AR: "What is philosophy?" "It is like trying to catch a black cat in a dark room. Marxist philosophy is distinguished by the fact that there is no cat in the room. In Marxist-Leninist philosophy, not only is there no cat, but someone keeps claiming to have caught it."

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Adams was one of my favorite professors in college, and I was very saddened to learn of his untimely death a few years ago. I remember he'd mentioned wanting to write this book of anekdoty for an English-language audience, and he'd worried that there wouldn't be enough interest among the general reading audience.

I'm glad he was able to get it written, even if it was only for an academic press. Dr. Adams is a wonderful guide through this subject, letting the jokes speak for themselves where they can, and unobtrusively providing cultural and historical context when some is needed.

It's a real shame this book isn't more widely available, as I think it could have found an enthusiastic audience beyond the textbook market. Used copies often go on Amazon for more than $100, and I had to get my library copy through interlibrary loan from a nearby college. The publisher did a poor job with the manuscript; there are a number of bizarre spelling errors throughout.

Dr. Adams' book deserves better. This book is a gem for anyone with even the most cursory interest in the how citizens can use jokes as a form of resistance, coping or commentary in their private lives.