Engineers of the Soul: The Grandiose Propaganda of Stalin's Russia - Hardcover

Westerman, Frank

4.04

512 ratings by Goodreads

9781590200872: Engineers of the Soul: The Grandiose Propaganda of Stalin's Russia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 159020087X ISBN 13: 9781590200872

Publisher: Overlook Pr, 2011

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Frank Westerman draws the reader into the euphoria of the Russian Revolution, as art and reality were bent to radically new purposes. Writers of renown, described by Stalin as 3engineers of the soul, .� were encouraged to sing the praises of canal and dam construction under titles such as Energy and The Hydraulic Power Station. However, their enthusiasm--spontaneous and idealistic at first--soon became an obligatory song of praise as the massive waterworks led to slavery. Combining investigative journalism with literary history, Westerman examines the books and lives of writers caught in the wheels of the system.

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Review:

Praise for "Engineers of the Soul"

?[E]ngagingly written and extensively researched, the book covers compelling historical and literary ground. ? --"The Sunday Times"

?Brilliant, illuminating and rich.? --"Literary Review"

?Frank Westerman combines investigative journalism with literary history to tell the story of two journeys one literal, one imaginary through contemporary Russia and through Soviet-era literature.? --"Publishers Weekly" Spring Announcements
Praise for "Engineers of the Soul"

"[E]ngagingly written and extensively researched, the book covers compelling historical and literary ground. " --"The Sunday Times"

"Brilliant, illuminating and rich." --"Literary Review"

"Frank Westerman combines investigative journalism with literary history to tell the story of two journeys -- one literal, one imaginary -- through contemporary Russia and through Soviet-era literature." --"Publishers Weekly" Spring Announcements

"An insightful history of the lives, times and works of some authors now virtually forgotten in the West, and a valuable addition to the study of Soviet letters." -- "Kirkus"
Praise for "Engineers of the Soul"

"Westerman writes a detailed and enthralling account of his journey through Soviet literature including discovering the revolution's best kept secrets while trying to appreciate the talented writers who created a web of deceit in the name of success." --"Publishers Weekly"

?[E]ngagingly written and extensively researched, the book covers compelling historical and literary ground. ? --"The Sunday Times"

?Brilliant, illuminating and rich.? --"Literary Review"

?Frank Westerman combines investigative journalism with literary history to tell the story of two journeys one literal, one imaginary through contemporary Russia and through Soviet-era literature.? --"Publishers Weekly" Spring Announcements

"An insightful history of the lives, times and works of some authors now virtually forgotten in the West, and a valuable addition to the study of Soviet letters." -- "Kirkus"
Praise for "Engineers of the Soul"
"Fascinating...In addition to tracing the Soviet style and telling the stories of individual writers, Westerman also follows the routes these authors traveled to gather material for their works." -- "The Cleveland Plain Dealer"
"Westerman writes a detailed and enthralling account of his journey through Soviet literature including discovering the revolution's best kept secrets while trying to appreciate the talented writers who created a web of deceit in the name of success." --"Publishers Weekly"
"[E]ngagingly written and extensively researched, the book covers compelling historical and literary ground. " --"The Sunday Times"
"Brilliant, illuminating and rich." -- "Literary Review"
"Frank Westerman combines investigative journalism with literary history to tell the story of two journeys -- one literal, one imaginary -- through contemporary Russia and through Soviet- era literature." --"Publishers Weekly" Spring An

"Engagingly written and extensively researched, the book covers compelling historical and literary ground." "Financial Times"

"Fascinating . . . In addition to tracing the Soviet style and telling the stories of individual writers, Westerman also follows routes these authors traveled." "Cleveland Plain Dealer"
"

Book Description:

A brilliant fusion of travel writing and Soviet history which reads like Bruce Chatwin

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