From the author of A People's Tragedy; an original reading of the Russian Revolution; examining it not as a single event but as a hundred-year cycle of violence in pursuit of utopian dreamsIn this elegant and incisive account; Orlando Figes offers an illuminating new perspective on the Russian Revolution. While other historians have focused their examinations on the cataclysmic years immediately before and after 1917; Figes shows how the revolution; while it changed in form and character; nevertheless retained the same idealistic goals throughout; from its origins in the famine crisis of 1891 until its end with the collapse of the communist Soviet regime in 1991.Figes traces three generational phases: Lenin and the Bolsheviks; who set the pattern of destruction and renewal until their demise in the terror of the 1930s; the Stalinist generation; promoted from the lower classes; who created the lasting structures of the Soviet regime and consolidated its legitimacy through victory in war; and the generation of 1956; shaped by the revelations of Stalin's crimes and committed to "making the Revolution work" to remedy economic decline and mass disaffection. Until the very end of the Soviet system; its leaders believed they were carrying out the revolution Lenin had begun.With the authority and distinctive style that have marked his magisterial histories; Figes delivers an accessible and paradigm-shifting reconsideration of one of the defining events of the twentieth century.
#609465 in Books Holt Paperbacks 1998-03-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.32 x .42 x 5.56l; #File Name: 0805058729148 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. As with all of Norman's books; it is well ...By Philip J; Hearn; Jr.As with all of Norman's books; it is well documented; and finally a myth buster that deals objectively with the German peoples' connection to WWll and history in general.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. THE definitive source for critical reading; and reviewing; of so-called “historyâ€By John S. ReidThis book is presented in two parts: Part One is Normal Finkelstein’s critical review and analysis of the book “Hitler’s Willing Executioners†(D. J. Goldhagen); and Part Two is Ruth Birn’s similar review. I will address each part separately.Norman Finkelstein’s critique of “Hitler’s Willing Executioners†serves as THE definitive primer on “how to critically read opinion-oriented historiography†(and; indeed; ANY book proclaiming to report “historyâ€). In short; the lessons are: (i) apply logic to what you read; and (ii) don’t blindly accept a citation as necessarily supporting what the author contends. Regarding the first lesson; Finkelstein demonstrates masterful use of logic to refute the premises and conclusions of Goldhagen’s book. Regarding the second lesson; Finkelstein shows that any careful reading of a historiography requires the reader to perform their own independent research in order to verify that what the author alleges to be shown by a citation (and in particular; one that is supportive of the author’s agenda) is actually supported by the citation. Much too often a critical citation which purports to support the author’s point of view is: (i) taken out of context; (ii) omits relevant contrary material; and/or (ii) is just flat wrong. Further to this point; a citation which includes a translation from a foreign language is frequently subject to various meanings based on translation; and the author may select only one translation (or meaning) which is supportive of his position; while ignoring reasonably possible alternative translations (and meanings) which do not support the author’s position. Yes; all of this requires effort on the part of the reader; but that is what the investigation of history should be all about – looking at a multitude of different resources; and then drawing your own conclusion.Ruth Birn’s critique of “Hitler’s Willing Executioners†takes a different tact than does Finkelstein. Birn goes after Goldhagen’s “circumscribed and biased use of archival sources†(pg. 134); and in particular “the selective way in which he has interpreted his sources†(see esp. pg. 130). Basically; Birn contends that Goldhagen “cherry-picks†(my expression) data which is favorable to his thesis; while ignoring data which tends to disprove his thesis.The combined approaches of Finkelstein and Birn in confronting Goldhagen’s “thesis†(and in critically reviewing Goldhagen’s book); together serve as a valuable lesson in the critical reading of any text which alleges to be “historyâ€. Further; they both serve as a roadmap for “how to critically review a book; and how to write a proper critical review of a bookâ€.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Defence of the German people (not the Nazis!)By Inset PseudonymA rigorous refutation of Goldhagen's claim that the entire German nation was collectively responsible for the Holocaust.Claims that this work is "anti-Semetic" are nonsensical. Finkelstein's family was murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. He is neither a denier nor a trivializer; but rather a purveyor of truth.Reputable historians of Nazi Germany; like Ian Kershaw; Yehuda Bauer and Raul Hilberg; have criticized the Goldhagen thesis as well. It simply has no scholarly support. Rather than try and respond to his critics; Goldhagen attempted to launch a nonsensical lawsuit against Birn. You cannot change history through lawsuits; Mr. Goldhagen.
