Daily Life in the Soviet Union - (Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History) Annotated by Katherine Eaton (Hardcover)

About the Book

Details what ordinary life was like during the extraordinary years of the reign of Soviet Union. Thirty-six illustrations, thematic chapters, a glossary, timeline, annotated multimedia bibliography, and detailed index make it a sound starting point for looking at this powerful nation's immediate past.

What was ordinary life like in the Soviet police state? The phrase daily life implies an orderly routine in a stable environment. However, many millions of Soviet citizens experienced repeated upheavals in their everyday lives. Soviet citizens were forced to endure revolution, civil war, two World Wars, forced collectivization, famine, massive deportations, mass terror campaigns perpetrated against them by their own leaders, and chronic material deprivations. Even the perpetrators often became victims. Many millions, of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life, did not survive these experiences. At the same time, millions managed to live tranquilly, work in factories, farm the fields, serve in the military, and even find joy in their existence.

Structured topically, this volume begins with an historical introduction to the Soviet period (1917-1991) and a timeline. Chapters that follow are devoted to such core topics as: government and law, the economy, the military, rural life, education, health care, housing, ethnic groups, religion, the media, leisure, popular culture, and the arts. The volume also has two maps, including a map of ethnic groups and languages, and over thirty photographs of people going about their lives in good times and bad. A glossary, a list of student-friendly books and multimedia sources for classroom and/or individual use, and an index round out the work, making it a valuable resource for high school as well as undergraduate courses on modern Russian and Soviet history. Copious chapter endnotes provide numerous starting points for students and teachers who want to delve more deeply.

Book Synopsis

Details what ordinary life was like during the extraordinary years of the reign of Soviet Union. Thirty-six illustrations, thematic chapters, a glossary, timeline, annotated multimedia bibliography, and detailed index make it a sound starting point for looking at this powerful nation's immediate past.

What was ordinary life like in the Soviet police state? The phrase daily life implies an orderly routine in a stable environment. However, many millions of Soviet citizens experienced repeated upheavals in their everyday lives. Soviet citizens were forced to endure revolution, civil war, two World Wars, forced collectivization, famine, massive deportations, mass terror campaigns perpetrated against them by their own leaders, and chronic material deprivations. Even the perpetrators often became victims. Many millions, of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life, did not survive these experiences. At the same time, millions managed to live tranquilly, work in factories, farm the fields, serve in the military, and even find joy in their existence.

Structured topically, this volume begins with an historical introduction to the Soviet period (1917-1991) and a timeline. Chapters that follow are devoted to such core topics as: government and law, the economy, the military, rural life, education, health care, housing, ethnic groups, religion, the media, leisure, popular culture, and the arts. The volume also has two maps, including a map of ethnic groups and languages, and over thirty photographs of people going about their lives in good times and bad. A glossary, a list of student-friendly books and multimedia sources for classroom and/or individual use, and an index round out the work, making it a valuable resource for high school as well as undergraduate courses on modern Russian and Soviet history. Copious chapter endnotes provide numerous starting points for students and teachers who want to delve more deeply.

Review Quotes

"Formerly with Tarrant County College, Fort Worth, Texas, Eaton has written extensively on the subject of Soviet theater. She provides students and interested laypersons with a view into the day-to-day experiences of average people in the Soviet police state, mainly those who lived and worked in Russia's cities and on farms. Structured topically, the text begins with an historical overview of the Soviet period (1917-1991) and a timeline, followed by chapters on ethnic groups and nationalities; government and law; the military; economy, class structure, food, clothing, and shopping; rural life; housing; health care and health problems; education; the arts; mass media, leisure, and popular culture; and religion. Includes a glossary and a bibliography of multimedia sources."-Art Book News Annual

?[A] compelling if depressing read, especially for anyone interest in Russia and its people. Students will find it more detailed that what is usually necessary to fulfill assignments, but they might find the book useful as supplemental material, as much of what is written will not be covered in the usual sources.?-VOYA

?A penetrating study of the history, ethnic composition, class structure, economics, and the arts of the former Soviet Union that sheds light on the everyday life of average citizens of that period, especially those living in the urban areas. The book is illustrated with period photographs, many emphasizing the grim conditions of people's lives during Soviet rule.?-Curriculum Connections/School Library Journal

?Background chapters on the history, ethnic makeup, and government of the former Soviet Union are followed by an examination of how the economic system, class structure, education, health care, and the arts manifested themselves in people's daily lives....Eaton writes lucidly and has produced a masterful synthesis of research by historians and sociologists, autobiographies of Russian dissidents, and the work of journalists and writers....This would be an ideal addition to libraries in high schools offering a course on Russian and Soviet history.?-School Library Journal

?Formerly with Tarrant County College, Fort Worth, Texas, Eaton has written extensively on the subject of Soviet theater. She provides students and interested laypersons with a view into the day-to-day experiences of average people in the Soviet police state, mainly those who lived and worked in Russia's cities and on farms. Structured topically, the text begins with an historical overview of the Soviet period (1917-1991) and a timeline, followed by chapters on ethnic groups and nationalities; government and law; the military; economy, class structure, food, clothing, and shopping; rural life; housing; health care and health problems; education; the arts; mass media, leisure, and popular culture; and religion. Includes a glossary and a bibliography of multimedia sources.?-Art Book News Annual

"ÝA¨ compelling if depressing read, especially for anyone interest in Russia and its people. Students will find it more detailed that what is usually necessary to fulfill assignments, but they might find the book useful as supplemental material, as much of what is written will not be covered in the usual sources."-VOYA

"[A] compelling if depressing read, especially for anyone interest in Russia and its people. Students will find it more detailed that what is usually necessary to fulfill assignments, but they might find the book useful as supplemental material, as much of what is written will not be covered in the usual sources."-VOYA

"A penetrating study of the history, ethnic composition, class structure, economics, and the arts of the former Soviet Union that sheds light on the everyday life of average citizens of that period, especially those living in the urban areas. The book is illustrated with period photographs, many emphasizing the grim conditions of people's lives during Soviet rule."-Curriculum Connections/School Library Journal

"Background chapters on the history, ethnic makeup, and government of the former Soviet Union are followed by an examination of how the economic system, class structure, education, health care, and the arts manifested themselves in people's daily lives....Eaton writes lucidly and has produced a masterful synthesis of research by historians and sociologists, autobiographies of Russian dissidents, and the work of journalists and writers....This would be an ideal addition to libraries in high schools offering a course on Russian and Soviet history."-School Library Journal

About the Author

KATHERINE B. EATON was for many years professor of English at Tarrant County College in Forth Worth, Texas. She has twice been a Fulbright Lecturer in Iasi, Romania. She is the author of The Theater of Meyerhold and Brecht and the editor of Enemies of the People: The Destruction of Soviet Literary, Theater, and Film Arts in the 1930s. Dr. Eaton has also written journal and encyclopedia articles and book reviews on the subject of Soviet theater.