A brilliant new work of interpretative history that provides a unique perspective on the beautiful but tortured culture of twentieth-century Russia. Russia has endured more bloodshed than any other European country in the twentieth century. Yet; while countries such as Germany have learned the value of confronting the darker side of their own pasts; Russia has never faced the reality of its troubled history in a meaningful and collective way. In this provocative and highly original book; Catherine Merridale asks Russians difficult questions about how their country's volatile past has affected their everyday lives; their aspirations; their dreams; and their nightmares. Based on extensive research including rare imperial archives; Soviet propaganda; memoirs; letters; newspapers; literature; psychiatric studies; and texts; as well as interviews with doctors; priests; social workers; policemen; survivors; gravediggers; and funeral directors; Night of Stone seeks answers to the questions: What is the true impact of violence in the Soviet century? How successfully have the Russians psychologically rewritten their own histories? What rituals have survived the Soviet regime; and what do they tell us of the Russian mentality? Reminiscent of the highly successful The Hour of Our Death; Night of Stone is an emotionally wrenching; eloquent work that will appeal to all readers of Russian and European history as well as anyone interested in the processes of memory.
#185133 in Books 1993-01-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 6.75 x 1.25l; 1.96 #File Name: 0669214973688 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Glenn J WojcikIt was helpful resource for my class.4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Good ReadBy JavandikomaI am currently taking a class by Professor Cracraft and used this book. It was a good read because it was an easy read. It was not confusing in any way and professor Cracraft's introductions to the essays were knowledgable. The material convered Russian history from Peter the Great to the fall of Nicholas II. The reader is a good tool in learning about the times and the monarchs themselves as well as their policies. Well worth the money!3 of 9 people found the following review helpful. extremely boringBy VeronikaIn my opinion; the read is sooo painfully boring. Honestly; I had to read Riasanovsky's textbook in conjunction with this one and Riasanovsky's is so much easier to read and understand. This textbook; sort of has all kinds of different exerts and all of them boring; almost as if that was Craft's criteria to publish them in this textbook. Every single time I began to read this textbook; I found myself asleep. It became my sleeping pill; as it; sure; does beat insomnia.
