Reviewed by Johanna Granville, Clemson University, Clemson, SC USA

Vladimir Andrle's book, A Social History of Twentieth-Century Russia covers roughly the period from the regime of Tsar Alexander III to the beginning of Gorbachev's leadership. Andrle seeks to present the social context of Russian history. He incorporates peasant customs, family life, and folktales in his historical narrative. As he states in his preface, most Russian history texts have focused primarily on political leaders, doctrines, affairs of state, and economic policies. According to Andrle, the field lacks an introductory text on Russian social history mainly because "in Russia developments over the past hundred years have been more obviously politically driven than in the major countries of the West." The Russian people have lived under state regimes that did not permit much room for social movements independent of the state. Thus Andrle's goal is to "offer a synthesis of recent specialist studies written on "social" or "from-below" themes. He believes that the early 1900s, the 1930s, and the 1960s constitute the historical landmarks of social change in Russia. Rather than focusing exclusively on social history, however, the author explores the linkages between Russian society and government policies, and examines the ways in which society shaped the outcomes of those policies. In his first chapter, Andrle explains the "social estates" (soslovie) system, which consisted of the nobility, the merchantry, the intelligentsia, clergy, and peasantry. According to Andrle, the merchantry "had an image problem in Russian culture;" the merchant was at the bottom of the rung. The merchant (kupets) was seen as greedy, materialistic, dishonest, and most often Jewish or "semi-Asiatic." Russian peasants, workers, and intellectuals were naturally suspicious of anyone who had too much material abundance--as if abundance in itself was somehow immoral. There was a pervasive belief among Russian peasants and workers that if someone had more possessions than his neighbors, he had acquired these things illegally, and that he was unconcerned for the welfare of his neighbors. The intelligentsia in particular despised the merchantry for being too conservative and immoral. Andrle claims that "the intelligentsia, rather than an entrepreneurial bourgeoisie, defined the values of progress" in the society that began to put tsarist autocracy under pressure. Moreover, the intelligentsia did not think the merchants challenged the autocracy enough. Thus it was up to the intelligentsia to be the moral voice and check the autocracy. Andrle cogently argues that the intelligentsia, both Westernizers and Slavophiles, expressed strongly anti-business views, and that the intelligentsia, perhaps because of this persuasion, had more influence over the tsarist government than the merchantry did. "After 1905," he states, "such views gained their articulate proponents, but they remained on the margins of mainstream social opinion." In this respect there was an affinity between the state bureaucracy and its usual critics (the intelligentsia). The tsarist state consequently never believed it should promote free capitalist enterprise. Drawing on Andrle's ideas, one might suggest that this same negative attitude toward the business class may still lurk beneath the surface in Russian society today. It may also have played a role in the failure of glasnost and perestroika under Gorbachev. Just as the "kupets" was perceived as corrupt, so also perhaps is the new Russian capitalist. Ordinary Russian citizens, hearing in the press (thanks to glasnost), about prosperous fellow citizens may have resented these more fortunate compatriots, especially if they themselves had tried but failed to succeed in Gorbachev's economy. Others were not interested in getting ahead. They simply viewed prosperity (monetary wealth) as fostering materialism, hence lack of spirituality. And glasnost allowed more expression of this negative attitude toward rich Russian quasi-capitalists and the new social ills that appeared to accompany them. The increased exposure of faults in Russian society may also have inspired in some a fear of taking risks and thus discouraged entrepreneurship. The more citizens read about corruption, theft, and murder (especially of bank managers), the more these citizens began to believe that their society was in a state of moral crisis. Poverty may have seemed a safer alternative to wealth and burglary. Andrle devotes a chapter to the role of the peasantry, first in sociological theory, and then specifically in Russian literature and historiography. The Russian intelligentsia for the most part perceived the peasantry as poverty-stricken, culturally backward, and in need of enlightened leadership. This general view was maintained later by Russian Marxist intellectuals like Georgy Plekhanov, Pavel Axelrod, and Vladimir Lenin, who eventually formed a radical movement exhorting the peasants (and workers) to overthrow their oppressors. The chapter also provides an intriguing investigation of the commune, family household, rites of passage, magic, religion, schools, literacy, and folktales. Another chapter deals with Stalinism and society (1929-1953) and identifies Andrle as a revisionist. He believes that the relationship between the Stalinist state and society was "not one simply of oppressor and victim." Andrle refutes the thesis that the Stalinist regime so effectively controlled its population that the outcomes of the regime's policies corresponded closely to their original goals. As he writes: "The people may have had good reasons to fear the repressive machinery of the state, but the fear did not stop them from participating in the public as well as private spheres of life as individuals with their own interests." Andrle assures the reader, however, that, in making this assertion, he does not intend to "sanitize the Stalinist regime" by glossing over the "atrocities committed on countless innocent victims" and highlighting only what some may consider the "trivial" elements of everyday life and government social policy. Indeed, in the process of modernization, Stalin may have broken a few omelettes to make an egg. One shortcoming of this work is the author's apparent failure to consult primary sources, including archival documents. Andrle merely gives a list of suggested (secondary) sources--mostly books without page numbers--at the end of each chapter. His sparse footnotes are also often presented without page numbers. In addition, the book could have been edited more thoroughly, since there are several typographical errors. For the most part, however, this is an absorbing book that would be useful in general graduate and undergraduate courses on Russian history.

This is a must-have for any serious gymnastics fan. Printed prior to the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, the book profiles the Soviet gymnastics stars of the past and (then) present, including Andrianov, Korbut, Turischeva, Titov, Kim, Latynina, etc. Beautiful photos in color and black & white.

I'm always looking for interesting artwork in children's books for my little boy. This box set is an excellent concept: square- round- triangle- and skinny-shaped books for little kids to gain an understanding of these basic shapes. Radunsky has a delightful touch and subtle humor to his illustrations. (Skinny shows a pencil and a dachsund.) The size of the books is perfect for the 0-3 set, and each book contains about eight picture spreads. The four books also come in a nicely designed (albeit plastic) box, which makes them fun to pull out. Radunsky also has chosen uncommon (at least, I think so) items to show off the shapes: Square shows a cracker; Triangle shows a bird's beak and a street sign. For the price, I think this is a cool present for a two-year-old.

Jenkins writes a book that needed to be written for the longest time: an in-depth examination of the process by which Kubrick has created his various masterpieces. Save for his films made prior to "The Killing", Kubrick has only worked from adaptation. And he has chosen material that has stumped filmmakers, material that in some cases was considered unfilmable. An outstanding, well written, researched, and thought out book. Highly recommended for writers, students of film, and devotees of Kubrick.

This is an excellent book with an in depth run-down on many game variations. In fact this book is so good that it was the primary reason that I finished as high as third place in the National Pool Checkers tournament in Atlanta,Ga in 1998. After winning the junior masters division in 1987 I was not involved with tournament play for eleven years and my game was rusty. This book's in depth treatment of the many games contained therein prepared me for a successful re-entry to the world of tournament checkers. In fact I only studied two of the games as I did my preparation and they were the "City Game" and the "Alley Game". So if the study of two of the many games contained in this book could prepare me this much, one might well imagine the outcome if I had studied all the games. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to all serious students who would like to take their game to another level!

This book enlightened me to many new methods to get a victory with fewer pieces, indeed the book is quite unique. At is bound to increase the tactical vision to entirely new levels.

This is the book very good for me, becouse I'm Yukaghir. I living in Yakutsk-town of Russia.

I've read this book in Russian (Russian version is called "Yellow Kings"), and now eager to read it in English. Book is very interesting and author's style is perfect. And, more important - book describes real life, with it humorous and sad moments. I'm Russian and when I first went to NYC - I saw the city the same "way" as the author did...

"Here is the town where Mr. and Mrs. Armadillo live. They just got married, and they are crazy about each other..." They play in the park and rest on a bench when they're tired. They greet other armadillos passing by, and they dream of a family and what to name their future babies. And then one morning Mrs Armadillo notices her tummy is getting bigger, and bigger, and even bigger, and she announces that she's going to have a baby. Mr Armadillo rushes her to the hospital where she delivers not just one, but ten new green and pink little ones. Overwhelmed with the prospect of naming ten babies, they decide to call them One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten. "Perfect names. I am so happy." Ecstatic relatives arrive with gifts. Grandma brings ten potties...just in case everyone has to go at the same time. Grandpa brings ten baseball caps...he really likes baseball. Uncle Elmer brings ten tutus, because he's so happy he feels like dancing, and Uncle Elmer's wife brings ten pets. One great big, very, very happy family..... Vladimir Radunsky's entertaining, wacky story is engaging, and filled with joy, humor, and the author's witty asides. But it's his bold, bright, and busy illustrations that really steal the show. Each expressive, playful spread is rich in dazzling color, intricate patterns, vibrant, eye-catching details, and lots of opportunities to practice your counting skills. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Ten is a captivating, fun-filled, manic romp that is sure to charm and delight young and old alike.

Unique book giving a full history of the Russian B-29 (Tupolev Tu-4) from its inception as a "Chinese" copy of the US B-29s which had emergency landings in Russia during WWII, through its development and its one potential war use during the Hungarian Revolution (fortunately the mission was recalled). Development of the design is included along with interesting and often experimental variants. Well illustrated. Highly recommended.The information is not available elsewhere in the English language (to my knowledge).