Voice of the People

Letters from the Soviet Village, 1918-1932

Sokolov A. K., Storella C. J.

This book presents the first comprehensive collection in English of peasant writings during the early years of the Bolshevik regime. Drawn entirely from Russian archival sources, it presents more than 150 previously unpublished letters addressed to newspapers, government officials, and Communist Party leaders. The letters and accompanying commentary result in a unique history of the Soviet peasantry's engagement and struggle with a powerful state, told about and by a social class that throughout history has too often been rendered voiceless.

Reviews

"In this moving collection of letters from Soviet citizens, Carmine Storella provides a beautifully nuanced survey of social life at a critical time in Soviet history. Painstakingly translated and deeply researched, the letters and explanatory essays reveal the true and often tragic voices of ordinary working people" – Wendy Z. Goldman, author of "Inventing the Enemy. Denunciation and Terror in Stalin's Russia" (2011)

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