In The Paradox of Ukrainian Lviv; Tarik Cyril Amar reveals the local and transnational forces behind the twentieth-century transformation of one of East Central Europe's most important multiethnic borderland cities into a Soviet and Ukrainian urban center. Today; Lviv is the modern metropole of the western part of independent Ukraine and a center and symbol of Ukrainian national identity as well as nationalism. Over the last three centuries it has also been part of the Habsburg Empire; interwar Poland; a World War I Russian occupation regime; the Nazi Generalgouvernement; and; until 1991; the Soviet Union.Lviv's twentieth-century history was marked by great violence; massive population changes; and fundamental transformation. Under Habsburg and Polish rule up to World War II; Lviv was a predominantly Polish city as well as one of the major centers of European Jewish life. Immediately after World War II; Lviv underwent rapid Soviet modernization; bringing further extensive change. Over the postwar period; the city became preponderantly Ukrainian―ethnically; linguistically; and in terms of its residents’ self-perception. Against this background; Amar explains a striking paradox: Soviet rule; which came to Lviv in its most ruthless Stalinist shape and lasted for half a century; left behind the most Ukrainian version of the city in history. In reconstructing this dramatic and profound change; Amar also illuminates the historical background to present-day identities and tensions within Ukraine.
#811067 in Books Baker Academic 2015-10-06 2015-10-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .60 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0801097460240 pagesBaker Academic
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Introduction to a Turbulent CenturyBy P. ObrienOverall; this is a very good and useful book. As a fairly informed Catholic; I see parallels between the experiences of my church and that of our "separated brothers:" the collapse of Christendom in the first-world balanced by the rise of a vibrant third-world Christianity. As part of an overall picture of Christianity; this book provides an essential introduction on its growth and shifts in the last century. However; as a global survey of such a momentous period; it could not provide details on any one individual; country; or movement. I suppose that this could be a criticism of any textbook; no matter how well written: to cover everything essential to the overall picture; the view must remain very high level; and the story has to shift quickly from one topic to the next. Perhaps the worth of such a book can be judged by whether the reader is left wanting to learn more; in that sense; the book worked for me.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy TKExcellent0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Condensed and beautiful!By Living VineThis book is a wonderful picture of Christianity in the 20th century. God has used many events to bring about His glory; and the author provides countless of those details in a thoughtful way.
