The Soviet Union

by Vadim Medish

Book by the editors of Time-Life Books

Genres: Russia, Nonfiction

367 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this back in 2010 but I re-read and skimmed through it for a decent review. This is a solid and very well organized overview of the Soviet Union. The book starts with brief but informative history, geography, and ethnic/demographic breakdowns. Then separate chapters are devoted to Soviet ideology, politics, economics, science and technology, the educational system, art and culture, etc.

The book is easy and extremely informative without getting bogged down in confusing details. There's graphs and tables that add as visual aids. Overall I really liked this one. I highly recommend this read to anyone researching the old Soviet Union and the intricacies that made this nation unique. Not complicated and clearly presented information. Thanks!

[Nadienne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say that this is a very underrated book based on the lack of reviews and/or details held within. It's an excellent read for those who are curious about what life was actually like in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, as well as many of the problems therein (and a few high points). For those who grew up with anti-Soviet American propaganda, this should be a bit of an eye-opener, as many things claimed as fact by the U.S.A. were just not true.

It also helps to show how a people without a tradition of liberation and civil rights can so easily accept totalitarianism as "just the way things are."

As a collectivist myself, it was interesting to see how those in power can easily manipulate the group to push it in ways that it should not be going. Democratic Centralism is no way to run a government.

[Denise DeRocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books in its time about the USSR.

[Matthew Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent enough reference source. Base information on Soviet culture.