Stalin ordered his execution; but here Peter Palchinsky has the last word. Palchinsky tells of Soviet technology and industry; the mistakes he condemned in his lifetime; the corruption and collapse he predicted; the ultimate price paid for silencing those who were not afraid to speak out. The story of this visionary engineer's life and work; as Graham tells it; is also the story of the Soviet Union's industrial promise and failure.
#1337975 in Books Harvard University Press 1996-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .94 x 6.65 x 9.54l; #File Name: 0674082494320 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent imagesBy Kept ManBeautiful workmanship in this book giving a real sense of the period. Recomended for all history buffs interested in uniforms and equipment.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Thought provokingBy A. WoodleyIt was only after I had read some way into this book that I realised that it must have been some kind of thesis. When did people start writing them so well?It isn't encumbered with that annoying pseudo-intellectulese that people who generally present theses are so proud of to confuse the reader. In fact the points it does present are in strikingly simple and wonderfully readable.The issue Myerly discusses is the development of the British army in the first half of the nineteenth century; basically the Napoleonic Wars until Crimea and it is a fascinating period.He discusses the changing attitudes to discipline; uniform; recruiting and life in general in the army - but also the effects the army had on civilian life and vice versa.There is an enormous bibliography at the end of the book; followed by extensive footnotes (some 100 pages). If you don't like footnotes then I can assure you they don't interfer with the reading in the text but help do help to clarify issues for those that want to delve deeper into an issue.The only reason I have marked the book down from 5 stars was really a bit trivial; I found the last couple of chapters a bit repetitive - or they seemed so to me. I could barely put the book down for the first 5 or so chapters; and it really got me thinking.Definitely worthwhile!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Interesting ThesisBy Roger KennedyThis slightly ponderous book presents a number of interesting questions. The main point it tries to make is that the military has often been used as a symbol to both inspire and control the public in Great Britain. The author painstakingly explains how the British army attempted to mould its soldiers into a certain disciplined caste that would prove relilable in all circumstances. While other countries have allowed their military to become all pervasive and dominant; in Britain the army always maintained a close loyalty to the Crown. The power of the Crown was tempered by Parliament; which meant that the army would never assume a dominant position in British affairs.That the military was useful as a means to control in social discontent in the early 19th century cannot be denied however. Before there was a reliable Police Force; the army was instrumental in maintaining the public order. This in turn ensured that the power of the elite was not threatened. The army was also an inspiration to many British thinkers and industrialists of the period; who looked upon its regimentation as an example to be followed in civilian affairs. Even fashion owes much of its influence to the army in this period. The ever popular term "Dressing to the Nines" was coined from the sharpe appearence of the 90th Foot. While this book did address many interesting points concerning the relationship between the military and civilian life in Britain; at times the material seemed a bit redundant.There were also some gaps. More emphasis should have been placed on the development and use of military bands; their music; as well as their ceremonial use. The employment of bands went very far to popularize the view of the military to many and should have been discussed at greater length. Pomp and Ceremony remains an important element in British society today; and continues to showcase the military; despite many evident cut-backs. The development of many of the great Tattoos; Military Music Spectacles etc.; were instrumental in presenting a favorable impression toward the British public. While many of these events would be developed in a later period; they surely had their start in the time covered in this book. Failure to mention this influence in more detail I think is the chief failing in an otherwise worthwhile book.
