In the face of the German onslaught in World War II; the Soviets succeeded; as Molotov later recalled; “in relocating to the rear virtually an entire industrial country.†It was an official declared “one of the greatest feats of the war.†Focusing on the Kirov region; this book offers a different and considerably more nuanced picture of the evacuations than the typical triumphal narrative found in Soviet history. In its depiction of the complexities of the displacement and relocation of populations; Stalin’s World War II Evacuations also has remarkable relevance in our time of mass migrations of refugees from war-torn nations.The citizens and government of Kirov; some 500 miles northeast of Moscow; provided food; clothing; and shelter to the people and institutions that descended on the region in numbers far exceeding prewar plans or anyone's imagination. But as they continued to share their already strained resources—with adult evacuees; Leningrad’s children; wounded and ill soldiers; factories; and commissariats—the people of Kirov became increasingly resentful; especially as it grew clear that the war would be prolonged; and that their guests demanded privileged treatment. Larry E. Holmes reveals how; without directly challenging the Stalinist system; they vigorously advanced their own private and regional interests. He shows that; as Kirov and Moscow pursued their respective agendas; sometimes in concert but increasingly at cross-purposes; they exposed preexisting and highly dysfunctional dimensions of Soviet governance at both the center and the periphery.The dictatorial center and the periphery literally came face-to-face in the evacuation to Kirov; allowing for a new; informed understanding of the tensions inherent in the Stalinist system; and of the power politics of the wartime Soviet Union.
#992372 in Books 2010-05-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .61 x 6.14l; .85 #File Name: 0700618589270 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Slogging MatchBy Jon N. NylanderKnowing nothing about the war in the Carpathians in the 1st World War; I figured this was a good place to start. The book begins slowly and the author seems to repeat himself a lot in the first half; going over the same material in slightly altered phraseology. The privations the Austro-Hungarian army suffered and the horrendous losses they bore are almost beyond comprehension. The author brings these points out well. Better maps would have helped explain a campaign about which I knew nothing; and where I was only vaguely familiar with the geography. Overall; despite my carping; it is an interesting and most informative book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy malia delosantosperfect4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A hodgepodge of ideas; thoughts and informationBy BubalisThis book has to go back to the publisher and reworked so that people can actually understand what the author is trying to present. I read the first two chapters and stopped. Terms such as "March Battalions" are never explained. There is absolutely no description of the Armies involved; the men; weapons; training and organization are a black hole. Confusing and disorganized; the writing is a struggle to read. The author may know the facts but hasn't a clue as how to present it in a coherent and legible fashion. Someday I might try to finish it; but let's hope something better on this subject matter is published before resorting to that.
