The Russian Version of the Second World War: The History of the War As Taught to Soviet Schoolchildren

by Graham Lyons (editor)

Translates and combines excerpts from two textbooks used in Russian secondary schools to reveal Russian interpretations of the military and political aspects of the Second World War

Genres: History, Russia, World War II

142 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1983

Reviews

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hardly controversial at this point that the Soviet Army bore the brunt of Nazi Germany's vehemence and violence and that it was the Eastern Front and the insane Soviet dash west that broke the back of the Wehrmacht. It isn't going far to say that the Red Army made the biggest contributions to victory in Europe.
With that, this book might be redundant at this point since the historical view of WW2 in Europe has changed so much towards the above summation in the 40 years since this book was published.
However, it isn't without its interesting tidbits. Lyons went through a collection of Soviet textbooks to cobble together what the average 1970s Soviet citizen was learning about the war. No less than AJP Taylor said the Soviet view was closer to reality and this is partly true. But you'll be stunned at the single, SINGLE mention of the Holocaust; the hilarious bits where the Soviet commentators talk about how warmly and lovingly the Polish partisans welcomed the Soviet army (they must've walked pretty far out of gutted Warsaw to embrace their comrades who were jerking off on the eastern lines); and more.
Other things of interest include the Soviet view of the causes of the war and the (correct) estimations of US war goals and the aftermath.
A cute work, if dated.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, based on textbooks published before 1973 and taught to Russian school children from 1956 (post-Stalin) to 1973 (possibly later), gives the Russian version of the Second World War, which makes for interesting although simplistic and, at times, confusing reading. The appendix summarizes three of the most controversial issues--the Hitler-Stalin pact, the Finnish campaign, and the Warsaw Uprising--giving both the Western version and the Russian version of events. A couple of things are pretty clear: (1) all players--the Allies, the Nazis, Papa Joe, the Communist partisans, the pro-Western partisans--were playing both ends against the middle, and (2) one man's liberation is another man's enslavement.

[Paul Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief Soviet version taken from school texts. Interesting to note good intentions of Communists versus actual outcome. No question Russia took and inflicted the lion's share of losses in the fight against Nazi Germany. Also, the timing of Allied actions reflected our mistrust of the Soviets and our long-term strategy against them.

I read this book hoping it would shed light on the differences between Fascism and Communism and it did. They start out as almost complete opposites, but end up in almost the same place. Whether big industry controls the government or government takes over all industry, you wind up with government and industry being one. Differences exist in attitudes toward race and religion, though, with Fascists including religion and Commies eliminating it and Fascists splitting races where Commies include all.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the Soviet view of "The Great Patriotic War", also known as World War II. This is a compilation of information from Soviet-era textbooks that describe the views of the war that were taught to Soviet Students in the 70's. Some of the points are well-made (with so many Soviet deaths, the frustration in the slowness to bring about a true western front against the Germans is understandable), but of course there is a lot of ridiculous spin and omissions.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Russian Version of the Second World War By Graham Lyons in opinion a great book if you're into world war two and if you want to see a different side of the Second world war.Altho i couldn't find a lexile level for this book anywhere my best grade level for this book is 7th grade.the summary of this book is just what title says it talks about how the gave raw materials to us and the uk and how they fought their tactics.Also how they liberated all these countries and how they fought there to.
The central idea of this story The Russian Version of the Second World War was to talk about how the russian fought the war what they did after the war.That's how it the central idea and the plot changes over the course of the beginning of the war to the end. “The enemy's aim was the destruction of the soviet troops” this line and the line befor “Ther 237 division went up to 266”.To me was the best even when close to defeat the came back and didn’t stop.
This book is highly recommended if you like the WW2 and want to learn more about it.The only thing about this book is at the beginning it talk more about how the americans got into the war and also how the british got into it to. I already know how its goes but that's just me. all and all it's a good book and I would recommend it and is was actually recommend by a friend to read this book.

[Erica Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly quick read and informative to me as someone who grew up only hearing a different side of the events. I especially like the end which summarizes the western vs the soviet view of key controversial events