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The Soviet Union Today: An Interpretive Guide
This newly revised and expanded second edition of The Soviet Union Today provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Soviet reality. Written by thirty experts, the book is divided into eight general history, politics, the armed forces, the physical context, the economy, science and technology, culture, and society. The individual chapters, which are intended to respond to the questions most frequently asked about the Soviet Union, are devoted to everything from the Lenin cult to the KGB; from Soviet architecture to Soviet education; from the status of women and ethnic minorities to the question of religion. All of the chapters from the first edition have been updated, and five new chapters—on the Soviet cinema, mass media, foreign trade, arms control, and the legal system—have been added. An annotated list of further reading suggestions and a special "Note for Travelers" enhance this volume's usefulness. Students, teachers, journalists, prospective tourists, and anyone interested in Soviet life will find this new edition of The Soviet Union Today an essential and stimulating guide to understanding the world's largest country.
396 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1983
15 people want to read
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February 17, 2014
Pretty good selection of articles about various aspects of life in the (now former) USSR; including history, politics, culture, religion, different aspects of the military and its structure and morale, the economy, the geography and physical characteristics of the USSR, and scientific and technological developments of the former empire.
Published in 1983, it is still relevant today in that it gives a glimpse into our former Cold War enemy. Much of what is written in this book has been verified since the fall of the USSR in 1992, giving the book credence to its place in scholarly work of the former USSR.
The book is a collection of articles written from prominent scholars of the Soviet Union, so if you're looking for an history of the Union, this is NOT the book for you. It will, however, supplement a textbook or general history book of the Soviet Union. It is not a read for those with limited or no knowledge of the Bolshevik Revolution and I would argue that if one is interested in Soviet-Russian history, he/she should not start their research with this book.
Published in 1983, it is still relevant today in that it gives a glimpse into our former Cold War enemy. Much of what is written in this book has been verified since the fall of the USSR in 1992, giving the book credence to its place in scholarly work of the former USSR.
The book is a collection of articles written from prominent scholars of the Soviet Union, so if you're looking for an history of the Union, this is NOT the book for you. It will, however, supplement a textbook or general history book of the Soviet Union. It is not a read for those with limited or no knowledge of the Bolshevik Revolution and I would argue that if one is interested in Soviet-Russian history, he/she should not start their research with this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review