The First Socialist Society is the compelling and often tragic history of what Soviet citizens have lived through from 1917 to the present; told with great sympathy and perception. It ranges over the changing lives of peasants; urban workers; and professionals; the interaction of Soviet autocrats with the people; the character and role of religion; law; education; and literature within Soviet society; and the significance and fate of various national groups. As the story unfolds; we come to understand how the ideas of Marxism have been changed; taking on almost unrecognizable forms by unique political and economic circumstances.Hosking's analysis of this vast and complex country begins by asking how it was that the first socialist revolution took place in backward; autocratic Russia. Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power and hold on to it? The core of the book lies in the years of Stalin's rule: how did he exercise such unlimited power; and how did the various strata of society survive and come to terms with his tyranny?The later chapters recount Khrushchev's efforts to reform the worst features of Stalinism; and the unpredictable effects of his attempts within the East European satellite countries; bringing out elements of socialism that had been obscured or overlaid in the Soviet Union itself. And in the aftermath of the long Brezhnev years of stagnation and corruption; the question is posed: can Soviet society find a way to modify the rigidities inherited from the Stalinist past?
#401935 in Books Harvard University Press 1998-09-15 1998-10-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.80 x .87 x 6.10l; 1.05 #File Name: 0674076273352 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. completely unknown to me and a great example of a self-organized black community existing side-by-side with ...By GardenerohI found this book extremely ifascinating and helpful. If you are interested in the Aubrey/Maturin series; as I am; read it for another side to the Age of Sail. HIghlights: The way black seamen spread and learned about the varieties of black communities across oceans and countries; the racial dynamics of the naval prisoner-of-war prison in England during the War of 1812; completely unknown to me and a great example of a self-organized black community existing side-by-side with self-organized white communities (seriously; check it out); that Frederick Douglass dressed as a seaman for his excape because black seamen existed and were known to have independent lives. True; the writing is not over-the-top amazing; but it serves.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good information.By eOrsinoGood information. Not always an exciting read but glad that this stuff was put together in one book. Most interesting is how things changed so much after the civil war was over. A great book for research on this topic; especially if you are interested in black seaman during break the 1700's.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great readBy CustomerI understand that it was written for a US audience and a knowledge of US history is assumed but as an Australian I would have appreciated more details on some of the events that are described (even just a year to help put it into perspective).
