KnihyOdborné a náučnéHumanitné a spoločenské vedyHistóriaCzechoslovakia: Behind the Iron Curtain

Czechoslovakia: Behind the Iron Curtain

A history of communism

Take a journey into the borderland of the Red Empire, during an ideological battle that saw the world ripped in half. Dare to step into communist Czechoslovakia, where the... Čítať viac

Vydavateľstvo: Global Slovakia, 2019

Počet strán: 612

Brožovaná väzba
Angličtina

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Take a journey into the borderland of the Red Empire, during an ideological battle that saw the world ripped in half. Dare to step into communist Czechoslovakia, where the controlled East and the free West converged at their closest.
This is a story of ordinary people caught up in the midst of the 20th centurys greatest political experiment. Through tales only told in whispers, glimpse into the everyday reality of those whose entire universe was ruled by the Hammer and the Sickle.

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Počet strán: 612

Väzba: brožovaná väzba

Rozmer: 150×227 mm

Hmotnosť: 1416 g

ISBN: 9781948181884

Rok vydania: 2019

Naše katalógové číslo: 702007

Jazyk: angličtina

Vydavateľstvo: Global Slovakia

Kategorizácia

Knihy

Odborné a náučné

Humanitné a spoločenské vedy

História

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Czechoslovakia: Behind the Iron Curtain, Palovic & Bereghazyova

As a foreigner with a love of Slovakia, who has spent much time in trying to better understanding the country and the region, I was excited about this book. I thought it would give me a clearer insight into the live and times of each Czechia and Slovakia during the 40 year period from 1948-1989 and of the impact of Communism on the peoples of those countries. In this regards, I had in mind books available in the UK such as Plain Tales from the Raj, or Children of the (2nd World) War etc which bring to life the experiences of ordinary people during extraordinary times and in so doing filling in the blanks of the larger tapestry of official histories.
At the same time, I also thought it would enable me to bridge my views on the "old" Slovakia- as gleaned from the wonderful photographs of Kallay, Lazistan, Plicka, and Grossman (sorry no diacritics) through the period of Socialism "Bratislava na Dunaji" (1960) and "Dedina na Slovensku vcera" (1958) to the more contemporary "Emerging from the Shadows" (2001) and "The Velvet Revolution 30 Years After" (2019).
Sadly, for me at least, this new book fails.
Firstly, the nearly 200 pictures- which are all insightful, are not explained/ or put into the context of the time. I feel this is important, as old photos show a world gone by, and as seen by some one who has no direct reference point may be misleading- for example the picture on 367 of a woman with two bread rolls, could infact be seen on the streets of today. Rozok's are still a Slovak speciality and are much loved as a breakfeast. I would also have liked to know a bit more of the stories of those that took the pictures, and why etc. Also, the pictures are not immediately credited, such that more than 100 times I had to refer to pages 584- 593 to see who took the photo, when and where. And then, why were the photographs frequently the subject of yellow highlight? Why yellow? what was the point?
Secondly, the text is woefully poorly written and edited. There are way too many spelling mistakes, and way to much use of idiomatic, sloppy and superflous text (perhaps this was an intended style?). For me the best text was that written by Havel, Stastny and Mikolsko (534-547). Also, why the mixed usage of font, emboldening and even type face within some titles? or the usage of Upper Case on (accredited?) quotes.
Thirdly, and this is a presumption on my part, but I have assumed that the indented italicized text were quotes. If that is the case, then I would have liked to see some form of credit or footnote as to the source and as with photos some brief explanatory text/background.
Forth, way to often it seemed to me that the authors have pushed the own words of what they believe was the intent of a particular action by the Authoritarian Regime: "the Communists gleamed at the thought", "their sinister plan worked like clockwork". Personally, I would have liked to see more reference facts, to the official orders or decree's that led to the development of such a repressive regime. In this regards, I think it would also be a reference point to know how much Czechoslovak experience matched that of other Central European Countries. Was Czechoslovak experience worse than elsewhere? Were the Communists following a roll out model used elsewhere?
Fifth, I was surprised to see a considerable number of incorrect "facts" which really ought to have been picked up. For example- the UFO Restaurant in Bratislava is 97 Metres high. At 1000 metres as quoted, it would top the Eiffel Tower! Equally, Yellow Submarine was recorded in Oct 1968- not 1969 (when it was released). As for the apparent inclusion of a Slovak epithet expressed by Dezo Hoffman, if you cant actually hear it, and M Zbirka did'nt buy into it, and Czecho Slovaks were not able to purchase the record and listen to it, then might it be nothing more than an earlier iteration of Funradio's "zdeno z popradu"?
Finally, I was surprised that the recommended literature excludes for example "Czechoslovakia: the State that failed" surely it merits inclusion? Whereas Golding, Orwell, Sebag Montefiore and Figes whilst all noted authors hardly seems to me to be relevant to the Czecho Slovak story.
In conclusion. I think credit should be given for trying to capture the stories of ordinary people during a dark time in Slovak history. And I do appreciate that the work is available in English language and that the book did give me some additional insights into this rich topic. However, more clarity and lucidity is required and a perhaps a little more balance and ease of reading Čítať viac

I really enjoy reading the book, there were some stories and facts I did not know about, I like the simple and narrative language. For me it was quiet new to read this scientific point of view and description of regular life of ordinary people and brought me back when I was a child. It help me analysed my own memories and experience and understand the behaviour of my family and effect they have on me. Čítať viac

Best book to learn about communist time in Czechoslovakia

This book is a must read. Complete history of every aspect of the former Czechoslovak country while in the socialist times... awesome facts that shape Slovakia and Chequia today and it’s not much different than Cuba. 100% recommended Čítať viac

Outstanding

I find this book very didactic and easy to follow, even addictive in some chapters. I had never been explained communism so clearly, with this degree of thoroughness and so many examples. I like how the authors use real life stories as examples to better understand those 40 years of communism. The description of the iron curtain completely changed my perception of it, since most books don't offer this comprehensive narrative. The photographs, maps and other illustrations also help to understand better the concepts. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in communism or in the history of Czechoslovaquia. Čítať viac

An important and timely visit back to two countries' communist past

A plain English account of Czechoslovakia's communist past by two experts with deep roots in the region, this book arrives at an important moment. A growing number of people say that the Velvet Revolution, which brought the end of communism in 1989, doesn't resonate with them personally, while others can't name key figures from the uprising. And yet communism remains arguably the dominant factor underpinning contemporary politics. Enter "Czechoslovakia: Behind the Iron Curtain."

There are any number of densely worded academic texts about communism, from its economic regime to its role in international relations. Accounts of what life was like for ordinary citizens are less easy to come by. This accessible book examines aspects of life under communism in Czechoslovakia while also filling out the context, which was one of Soviet determination to ensure loyalty to the ideology. Both those eager to understand more about this region's divisive moment in political and civic life, as well as those simply interested in fascinating episodes in history, will find much to learn and discuss here. Čítať viac

This is an important and timely publication. Thoroughly researched, with huge amount of rare photographies. On one side, this extensive book can serve as a nostalgic reminder to socialism, but at the same time it serves the purpose of recreating an abhorrent atmosphere that regime kept alive in Czechoslovakia for half a century.

Comprehensive and well-structured book that manages to cover many, if not all, aspects of the era. If you need only one book or a definitive guide regarding the life Behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia, this is the one. Čítať viac

27,99 €

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