A Revolution Of Their Own: Voices Of Women In Soviet History

By Barbara Alpern Engel

Book Overview

The stories of these eight Russian women offer an extremely rare perspective into personal life in the Soviet era. Some were from the poor peasantry and working class, groups in whose name the revolution was carried out and who sometimes gained unprecedented opportunities after the revolution. Others, born to ?misfortune? as the daughters of nobles, parish priests, or those peasants termed well-to-do, suffered bitterly as enemies to a new government. The women interviewed here speak candidly about family life, work, sexual relations, marriage and divorce, childbirth and childbearing, and legalized abortion and the underground pursuit of such services after abortion was outlawed in 1936.As no previous book has done, A Revolution of Their Own illuminates the harsh reality of women's daily lives in the Soviet Union as well as reveals the accomplishments made possible by the expanded opportunities that the new Soviet government provided for women. Their stories show why many Russian women continue to take pride in the public achievements of the Soviet period despite, or perhaps because of, the painful price each was made to pay.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813333660
• ISBN13: 9780813333663
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Living History

A very well-presented portrait of not just women, but of Soviet/Russian history. This book reminded me somewhat of James Baldwin in an off-hand way in that the stories of average people are sometimes more compelling than those who usually find themselves in the history books. This is a great addendum to any history teacher's library.

Beautifully Written

Barbara Engel is one of my professors at the University of Colorado, so I might be somewhat biased in my opinion of her book. This collection of stories provides long overdue insight into the lives of the overlooked citizens of Russia and the Soviet regime: the women. Each life story is fabulously written, exceedingly interesting, and allows students to better understand this most complicated area of the world. I don't think I have ever liked a book that was required reading for a class as much as this one. Not only is Professor Engel an excellent writer, she is a wonderful teacher as well. I feel privileged to be in her class.