Below is a list of the books to date that I've read concerning Soviet and
Russian history and culture. The list is not structured in any way, but
pretty
much a random sampling of books that I've come across in my reading.
One thing I've decided the more I've read, that I'd like to pass along,
is
my belief that the dates and times in which these books were written in
no way
make them obsolete or irrelevent to our educations about Soviet and
Russian
culture. In fact, I'm finding just the opposite to be true. To fully
understand
and appreciate current situations in the former USSR, it is often quite
helpful and even necessary to delve back into some of the older books for
insights into the past.
I also readily admit that I have not gotten too deep, yet, into the works
of
the better known dissident writers, but that will change in the very near
future. This list will continue to grow. If you have books that you'd
like to
suggest please pass along the title, author and date of publication,
along
with a short description and I'll add them to the list.
With that said and done, here's the list:
-
Glas, New Russian Writing,
Various authors, 1991-...
This series of continually published volumes of new Russian
writing was a real find for me. Each volume presents writing based on
a different theme. For instance, one volume consists of writing by
women, another describes the Jewish experience in Russia.
Use the link above for a complete
listing of volumes published to date.
- The Anti-Soviet Soviet Union, Vladimir Voinovich,
1985.
Voinovich is a former dissident writer tossed out of the Soviet Union
with
a marvelous sense of humor and truly pin point insights into the daily
life
of the Soviet people. I highly recommend this one; you'll become an
instant
fan, and I dare say friend, of Vladimir Voinovich.
- A Room in Moscow, Sally Belfrage, 1957.
A simply wonderful and amazing autobiographical piece by a young
woman who traveled to Moscow for a student gathering in 1956, and then
decided to stay in Moscow to learn more about the Russian people. Not
only a
very valuable historical record, but also a very warm and heartfelt piece
of
personal literature.
- Fat Sasha and the Urban Guerilla, David Bonavia, 1972.
Bonavia spent several years in Moscow in the late sixties and the
first
couple
of years of the seventies as a journalist, before being expelled for
getting
too friendly with active dissidents. His account is a true life glimpse
into
the lives and toils of those who actively spoke out against the Soviet
regime,
and often paid the price.
- The New Russians, Hedrick Smith, 1990.
Fifteen years after the publication of his book 'The Russians', Smith
returned to Russia and found the place completely changed almost beyond
belief
from when he last visited. This is a really good book packed with
detailed
information on the political transformation of the USSR and its people. A
later
reprint is updated with an additional chapter about the failed coup in
91.
- Bear Hunting with the Politburo, A. Craig Copetas,
1991.
Copetas spent three years in Moscow as a journalist covering the early
free
marketeers known as 'cooperators'. He then became an advisor to one of
the most
successful of these early businesses, 'Fact'. Bear Hunting gives a really
terrific account of the struggles and obstacles faced by the men and
women who
were the first to drag Russia into the market system.
- Trespassers Welcome Here, Karen Karbo, 1989.
In her debut novel Karbo tells the story of several Soviet emigres to
Los Angeles
through their own eyes and experiences. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad,
this is
an interesting and warm book, giving personal reflections on the
situations faces
by strangers in a strange land.
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