The Soviet Century
The Soviet Century by Moshe Lewin, published by Verso on February 17, 2005, is a comprehensive exploration of Soviet history, spanning 416 pages. This edition delves into the complexities of the USSR’s past, addressing the challenges of documenting a history that has been obscured by ideological confrontations and a lack of accessible records. Lewin utilizes previously unavailable archival material to provide insights into the demographic, economic, cultural, and political dimensions of the Soviet regime.
Readers will find that The Soviet Century presents a nuanced narrative that moves beyond a straightforward historical account. It examines the continuities and ruptures from the October 1917 revolution to the USSR’s collapse in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including critical periods such as the Stalinist dictatorship and the reforms attempted during Khrushchev’s leadership. The book aims to clarify the inner workings of a system that remains poorly understood, challenging established beliefs about the leaders, the State-Party system, and the bureaucratic structures that wielded significant power.
Official synopsis Publisher
The USSR may no longer exist, but its history remains highly relevant—perhaps today more so than ever. Yet it is a history which for a long time proved impossible to write, not simply due to the lack of accessible documentation, but also because it lay at the heart of an ideological confrontation which obscured the reality of the Soviet regime.
In The Soviet Century, Moshe Lewin traces this history in all its complexity, drawing widely upon archive material previously unavailable. Highlighting key factors such as demography, economics, culture and political repression, Lewin guides us through the inner workings of a system which is still barely understood. In the process he overturns widely held beliefs about the USSR’s leaders, the State-Party system and the Soviet bureaucracy, the “tentacled octopus” which held the real power.
Departing from a simple linear history, The Soviet Century takes in all the continuities and ruptures that led, via a complex route, from the founding revolution of October 1917 to the final collapse of the late 1980s and early 1990s, passing through the Stalinist dictatorship and the impossible reforms of the Khrushchev years.
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “The Soviet Century” about?
Who is the author of “The Soviet Century”?
When was “The Soviet Century” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Soviet Century”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
