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Доба безумства. Занепад і кінець Радянського Союзу
Радянський Союз став першою в історії державою, в якій офіційна ідеологія пронизувала всі сфери й рівні життя, перетворюючи громадян на безликі та взаємозамінні гвинтики колосальної системи. Американський журналіст Девід Саттер, який у 1970�1990-ті роки працював кореспондентом в СРСР, в своїй книзі показує життя радянських людей і трагічні наслідки цього соціального експерименту.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
15 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
David Satter
18books49followersDavid Satter is senior fellow, Hudson Institute, and fellow, Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He was Moscow correspondent for the Financial Times from 1976 to 1982, then a special correspondent on Soviet affairs for the Wall Street Journal.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 29, 2021
Книжка буде цікавою для тих, хто цікавиться історією радянської доби. Її перевага - це спроба описати цю історію, атмосферу пізнього СРСР через індивідуальний досвід людей (простих і не дуже), їхні історії.
Однак була два недоліки, які дуже напружувати впродовж читання. Перший - це трохи дивна структура (чи її брак). Автор чітко (і прямо у вступі) декларує свою основну тезу, про шизофренічний, абсурдний характер життя у СРСР, і впродовж тексту розкриває та ілюструє цю тезу історіями з різних куточків країни, різних історичних моментів та різних людей. І в цьому просторово-часовому стрибанні постійно губишся, не можеш зрозуміти, чому автор пише саме про це і як це поєднується з іншими шматками книги.
Другий недолік ще більш неприємний мені особисто. Саттер явно є релігійною людиною, і я цьому випадку він вирішив шукати пояснення того, що відбувалося в СРСР протягом існування цього утворення, саме запереченням бога як трансцендентного джерела моралі. Досить відома теза, що комуністи відкинули бога і поставили на його місце свою ідеологію. Мені це видається дикою примітивізацією історії та (трохи) втручанням проповідництва у публіцистику. Звісно, це не науковий і навіть не науково-популярний текст, в якому подібні речі були б відверто неприпустимими, але все ж.
Втім, попри це, я не шкодую, що подолала понад 500 сторінок тексту, бо відкрила для себе досить багато цікавих речей про світ, у якому жили наші батьки та бабусі з дідусями, і з якого розвинулася суспільство, де ми живемо зараз.
Однак була два недоліки, які дуже напружувати впродовж читання. Перший - це трохи дивна структура (чи її брак). Автор чітко (і прямо у вступі) декларує свою основну тезу, про шизофренічний, абсурдний характер життя у СРСР, і впродовж тексту розкриває та ілюструє цю тезу історіями з різних куточків країни, різних історичних моментів та різних людей. І в цьому просторово-часовому стрибанні постійно губишся, не можеш зрозуміти, чому автор пише саме про це і як це поєднується з іншими шматками книги.
Другий недолік ще більш неприємний мені особисто. Саттер явно є релігійною людиною, і я цьому випадку він вирішив шукати пояснення того, що відбувалося в СРСР протягом існування цього утворення, саме запереченням бога як трансцендентного джерела моралі. Досить відома теза, що комуністи відкинули бога і поставили на його місце свою ідеологію. Мені це видається дикою примітивізацією історії та (трохи) втручанням проповідництва у публіцистику. Звісно, це не науковий і навіть не науково-популярний текст, в якому подібні речі були б відверто неприпустимими, але все ж.
Втім, попри це, я не шкодую, що подолала понад 500 сторінок тексту, бо відкрила для себе досить багато цікавих речей про світ, у якому жили наші батьки та бабусі з дідусями, і з якого розвинулася суспільство, де ми живемо зараз.
January 9, 2021
This book could probably be half the length; the parts that explain historical events sequentially are particularly weak, since they sort of ramble and jump from place to place making them hard to follow. I would skim those in favor of a Wikipedia article.
Rather the strength of this book is in the personal stories of people who lived in the USSR and the analysis provided by the author. Their ability to maintain multiple belief systems & their experience with cognitive dissonance is examined closely. The behaviour of the Soviet "bourgeois" is documented well, in terms of how in the absence of capital, power was maintained through ideology and personal favors. The workers were given not much more than lip service; they didn't control the means of production so much as the apparatchiks did. In many ways, they were treated like children who should always listen to the enlightened vanguard.
At the same time, the book does not pretend that the dissolution of the USSR resulted in a "more perfect union". The current state of Russia is a testament to that.
Ultimately I find the examination of meaning, and the importance of meaning for desperate people, very relevant to the modern day USA. Soviet citizens (my parents included) could put up with poor treatment, food shortages, and repression of thought through their belief that they held the moral high ground. Despite the hardship, they were enduring it in the service of history and human progress; they were building the first socialist state, which would serve as an example for the rest of the world against American excess and imperialism. And regardless, Americans *surely* lived worse because the capitalists exploited their labor. Nevermind that this wasn't the case, and that the USSR performed its fair share of imperialism (Ukraine, Afghanistan, Finland, Poland, etc.) Yet this belief in something greater, something that replaced religion, lent meaning to difficult, frustrating lives.
Given the recent riot at the U.S. Capitol, I see much of the same; desperate people, who, in an age of meaningless, desperation and frustration, have latched on to meaning through Mr. Trump and his particular brand of populism. As the economy leaves more and more people behind, as people lose meaning and dignity through their work and families, I'm afraid we'll see more people attracted to anyone who promises to free them of their pain and give them meaning in a nihilistic world.
Rather the strength of this book is in the personal stories of people who lived in the USSR and the analysis provided by the author. Their ability to maintain multiple belief systems & their experience with cognitive dissonance is examined closely. The behaviour of the Soviet "bourgeois" is documented well, in terms of how in the absence of capital, power was maintained through ideology and personal favors. The workers were given not much more than lip service; they didn't control the means of production so much as the apparatchiks did. In many ways, they were treated like children who should always listen to the enlightened vanguard.
At the same time, the book does not pretend that the dissolution of the USSR resulted in a "more perfect union". The current state of Russia is a testament to that.
Ultimately I find the examination of meaning, and the importance of meaning for desperate people, very relevant to the modern day USA. Soviet citizens (my parents included) could put up with poor treatment, food shortages, and repression of thought through their belief that they held the moral high ground. Despite the hardship, they were enduring it in the service of history and human progress; they were building the first socialist state, which would serve as an example for the rest of the world against American excess and imperialism. And regardless, Americans *surely* lived worse because the capitalists exploited their labor. Nevermind that this wasn't the case, and that the USSR performed its fair share of imperialism (Ukraine, Afghanistan, Finland, Poland, etc.) Yet this belief in something greater, something that replaced religion, lent meaning to difficult, frustrating lives.
Given the recent riot at the U.S. Capitol, I see much of the same; desperate people, who, in an age of meaningless, desperation and frustration, have latched on to meaning through Mr. Trump and his particular brand of populism. As the economy leaves more and more people behind, as people lose meaning and dignity through their work and families, I'm afraid we'll see more people attracted to anyone who promises to free them of their pain and give them meaning in a nihilistic world.
January 10, 2018
A vivid and compelling history of how the Soviet Union declined and ultimately failed. It's a bit of a slog as the author makes a significant portion of the book read like stereo instructions but an appellant read for history buffs and those wanting some source material on the failure of Socialism/Communism and tyranny. Read this book to understand a significantly important historical event in World History.
October 25, 2020
Я народилася у 1990-му, але на уроках історії нам казали, що причиною Голодомору є посуха. У Болгарії влітку бачила великий ріжок совецького пломбіру, який мав заманювати з вітрини до російських магазинів. У сувенірні магазини боялася й заходити, щоб знову не натрапити на якийсь магнітик зі Сталіном. Працювала на роботі, де до людей, які мали відмінну думку, застосували методи тиску та маніпуляції, сформовані в радянському союзі. Страшно, наскільки глибоко це все проростає і живе. ця книжка дуже глибока, точна, сумна і добре описує коріння зла
November 2, 2024
the wild Amazone
Slipshod history
This book attempts to chronicle the last ten or so years of the Soviet Union through vignettes that illustrate people's struggles with a dying system.
Although superficially vivid, these 'tales' do not constitute trustworthy history.
First, lacking footnotes citing authentication, these stories lack the basic foundations of scholarship.
Second, and more worryingly, Satter presents reams of conversation he couldn't possibly have heard.
Was he present, for example, when the KGB interrogated dissidents?
This cavalier approach to sources makes me suspect that Satter is actually interested in producing a colorful polemic that damns Communism.
This suspicion is only heightened by Satter's acknowledgements, which mentions the 'indispensable help' he received from Reader's Digest, a publication well known for its fiercely held anti-Communist agenda.
shaneb
...............
Most all of Satter's book on Amazon get glowing reviews from National Review
so that's not always a plus for balance
Slipshod history
This book attempts to chronicle the last ten or so years of the Soviet Union through vignettes that illustrate people's struggles with a dying system.
Although superficially vivid, these 'tales' do not constitute trustworthy history.
First, lacking footnotes citing authentication, these stories lack the basic foundations of scholarship.
Second, and more worryingly, Satter presents reams of conversation he couldn't possibly have heard.
Was he present, for example, when the KGB interrogated dissidents?
This cavalier approach to sources makes me suspect that Satter is actually interested in producing a colorful polemic that damns Communism.
This suspicion is only heightened by Satter's acknowledgements, which mentions the 'indispensable help' he received from Reader's Digest, a publication well known for its fiercely held anti-Communist agenda.
shaneb
...............
Most all of Satter's book on Amazon get glowing reviews from National Review
so that's not always a plus for balance
January 16, 2021
What an incredible book. Resonated with me so much, considering the significant time I’ve spent in Russia myself. Such wonderful people who lived under such an oppressive, reprehensible regime for decades!
September 27, 2017
Глибокий аналіз радянської суті.
July 30, 2012
It took me a long time to read this book. I could only take it in small portions at a time.
What was life like for the average Soviet citizen living under that regime? What did they go through when Glasnost and Perestroika brought a new honesty to their history, their politics, and their culture? This is an amazing book that movingly and thoroughly addresses these questions.
As I said, this book was not one I read quickly. Each chapter had impact on me, as I read of the crushing tyranny of the soul that was the daily life of a Soviet citizen--no, not citizen--they were victims of history's most horrible regime.
Imagine a society where to stand up and point out reality is to be labeled "mentally ill," and then to be put away and treated with drugs until your mind really is gone. Imagine a society where you are in danger of your life for even approaching the borders of your country, and where people try to desperately escape across those borders. The stories collected by the author during his many years as a journalist in the Soviet Union were crushing and heart-rending, but at the same time I was filled with amazement at the strength of some, who sought to tell the truth, who sought to be free. Also poignant were the accounts of so many, who after the revelations of Glasnost, felt their whole lives had been for nothing, that they'd been living a lie.
There was much here that resonated with me, based on my experiences in the former Soviet Union. A difficult, but necessary book.
What was life like for the average Soviet citizen living under that regime? What did they go through when Glasnost and Perestroika brought a new honesty to their history, their politics, and their culture? This is an amazing book that movingly and thoroughly addresses these questions.
As I said, this book was not one I read quickly. Each chapter had impact on me, as I read of the crushing tyranny of the soul that was the daily life of a Soviet citizen--no, not citizen--they were victims of history's most horrible regime.
Imagine a society where to stand up and point out reality is to be labeled "mentally ill," and then to be put away and treated with drugs until your mind really is gone. Imagine a society where you are in danger of your life for even approaching the borders of your country, and where people try to desperately escape across those borders. The stories collected by the author during his many years as a journalist in the Soviet Union were crushing and heart-rending, but at the same time I was filled with amazement at the strength of some, who sought to tell the truth, who sought to be free. Also poignant were the accounts of so many, who after the revelations of Glasnost, felt their whole lives had been for nothing, that they'd been living a lie.
There was much here that resonated with me, based on my experiences in the former Soviet Union. A difficult, but necessary book.
Read
November 30, 2009A collection of interviews and the author's view that the fatal flaw of the Soviet Union was its official atheism.
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