Questions About The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 (Abridged)

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Answered Questions (6)

For a first read, is the abridged version all right? Or should I go with the full version? Thanks!

Joy Derenthal In the author's own words, "I gratefully accepted Professor Ericson's suggestion to create a one-volume abridgement of my three-volume work, The Gulag…moreIn the author's own words, "I gratefully accepted Professor Ericson's suggestion to create a one-volume abridgement of my three-volume work, The Gulag Archipelago, in order to facilitate its reading for those who do not have much time in this hectic century of ours."

The abridged version is still a monumental work, and well worth reading in its own right. I don't think it is any kind of insult to the author to read this edition. The only insult would be to hold what Solzhenitsyn called "this fallacious belief: 'It would not be the same here; here such things are impossible.'" It is better to learn the lessons than not, whither they come from.(less)

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How is this book organized? I'm looking online and I see references to different volumes e.g. "An Experiment in Literary Investigation", etc; but there's no reference to volumes on this web page for the book. Could someone clear this up for me? Thank you!

Lyndon Moore There are a total of 3 volumes, all out of print. There are some re-prints and new editions of abridged versions out there. Seeing as how the author s…moreThere are a total of 3 volumes, all out of print. There are some re-prints and new editions of abridged versions out there. Seeing as how the author suffered terribly to write these books, they had to be hidden from the KGB, and people died in their creation, we owe it to the author to read the whole thing. (less)

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I have heard that this is not non fiction but rather based on real events fiction. Is it true?

Sofia Mouratidis Hello Irisska.

Yes, it definitely is a non-fiction book, based on real-life events of the author.

Hence, when you go to a bookshop, you are more likely …moreHello Irisska.

Yes, it definitely is a non-fiction book, based on real-life events of the author.

Hence, when you go to a bookshop, you are more likely to encounter the book in the politics section...for the military or history section I'm not sure, but I personally found it in the politics section from my new local bookshop.

Cheers! :)(less)

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Hi everyone! I own the abridged version of the book, however, if I decide to read all three volumes does anyone have a link to direct me to which are the right volumes to purchase and read? Because I did a quick search on Google but I'm not sure I found the right ones. Thank you, everyone! :)

Sweetheart https://www.amazon.com/Gulag-Archipel...

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?? Are parts/sections highly recommended?? I am currently 1\2 way through section 2/part 3....very interesting, for sure, however SO MUCH DETAIL & EXAMPLES. Prob more than 80 +hours .??? Anyway if anyone really ''felt'' a section please let me know....thanks ya' all! Happy Reading brothers......

Michael Powers In the last chapters of the book , the author talks personally about the psychological affects of the Gulag on the people of former Soviet Union.

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