This revised and updated history confines itself to Russia west of the Urals; the Russia whose artistic beginnings lay in the response of a newly settled people to the impact of Christianity and the Byzantine Empire. In the first centuries the arts flourished and developed in the independent states and principalities; but gradually native schools in centres like Novgorod and Kiev gave way to centralization based on Moscow. From the emergence of Russia under Peter the Great until the late 19th century; specifically Russian qualities gave way to Western European inspiration and advice. However; as the 19th century developed; there was a reaction from foreign domination and this led to the rediscovery of native traditions.
#550769 in Books Donna Solecka Urbikas 2016-04-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.10 x 6.00l; #File Name: 0299308502312 pagesMy Sister s Mother A Memoir of War Exile and Stalin s Siberia
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This story is first a surprisingly touching story of a mother and two daughters; Stalin's Siberia is the near-impossible settingBy AZ canyonhikerThis book is exceptionally well-written and held my attention; making it a surprising two-day read. Somehow I was expecting a tale of history; more academic in nature; since it's published by a university press. But the core of the book focuses on motherhood; the roots of relationships between a mother and her daughter; and how far a woman is willing to go to survive and protect her child in impossible circumstances. Exile to Siberia is the powerful setting that few outside the Polish community are fully aware of; which adds to the value of this story. The author's mother and her five-year-old daughter were two of hundreds of thousands of Poles forcibly evicted from their homes in February 1940 and then; well; no spoiler alerts here; except that they endure a tortuous journey together. A second key exploration in this book is the author's personal experience of a second-generation survivor of war trauma; as well as being a first-generation immigrant of Polish parents; who can never return to a communist Poland. Then; on top of this; in the second half of the book; the story turned surprisingly personal as she faced many simultaneous trials of being sandwiched between younger children with issues; and aging parents; which is a subject I completely relate to. I suspect I'll be still be thinking about this book in the weeks to come; especially for the first-hand view of deportation to Siberia.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Memorable Story of War; courage; and LoveBy Sharon VoigtI was very excited to read this book since I am researching my Polish family. I know I have relatives there; I just have to find them! This book gave me great insight into what it was like to live in Poland during this terrible time in history. Life; here; was not for the feint of heart and Donna's mother was one strong; courageous woman. The fact that she was able to save not only herself but her daughter; Donna's sister; was a miraculous feat. Donna's relationship with her mother and sister was hampered by the fact that she did not understand the history behind their relationship and difficult journey. As this story unravels it was easier for Donna to understand and I think to "like" her mother. Her love and admiration for her mother also grew and changed over the course of the story. Anyone who is interested in life during World War II or non fictions stories about self realization will enjoy this book. It is not a difficult read and will encourage the reader to reevaluate certain relationships and views on their private lives. Thank you; Donna; for sharing your family's story with us.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Refugee Experience Vividly CapturedBy Gregory P DreyerThis book is about the refugee experience of the author's mother; sister and father. It will deepen the reader's understanding of the refugee experience; which is so relevant today. What sets this book apart from other refugee tales is how this refugee experience affects the American-raised child of the refugees (the author). I appreciated the structure of the story; with the chapters going back and forth in time. One chapter is on their life in America; then the next chapter goes back to war-torn Europe. It's an effective tool that maintains the reader's interest and connects the two parts of the story.The author's descriptions of her mother's life experience are exceptionally vivid. I had no idea that any refugees traveled so far from Poland to various places in the vast former Soviet Union; to Iran; to India; to England and finally finding a home in the United States. It's an amazing story of survival.
