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Barbara Alpern Engel's Marriage, Household and Home in Modern Russia is the first book to explore the intricacies of domestic life in Russia across the modern period.
Surveying the period from 1700 right up to the present day, the book explores the marital and domestic arrangements of Russians at multiple levels of society and the impact of broader historical developments, including war and revolution, upon them. It also traces the evolution of marriage, household and home as institutions over three centuries, whilst also highlighting the inter-relationship between public policy and private life, in what is a wholly original historical assessment of domesticity in modern Russia. In the process, the author expertly synthesizes the key works, arguments and discussions in the field, mapping out the historiographical landscape of this compelling aspect of Russian social history.
Marriage, Household and Home in Modern Russia is crucial reading for any student or scholar of modern Russian history.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction: Considering Marriage, Household and Home
1. For Better, For Worse, 1700-1761
2. Village Practices
3. Continuity and Change, 1761-1861
4. Imperfect Freedom, 1861-1881
5. Recreating the Home, 1881-1914
6. Wars and Revolutions, 1914-1921
7. The 'Withering Away' and Resurrection of the Family, 1921-1940
8. War and Recovery, 1940-1953
9. Ideals Meet Realities, 1953-1991
10. Marriage Crisis Comes Home, 1991-2015
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Barbara Alpern Engel is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Colorado, USA. She is the author of numerous books, including Russia in World History (2015; with Janet Martin), Women in Russia: 1700-2000 (2004) and Breaking the Ties that Bound: The Politics of Marital Strife in Late Imperial Russia (2011). She is also the editor of the four-volume Encyclopedia of Women in World History (2008).
Summary
Barbara Alpern Engel’s Marriage, Household and Home in Modern Russia is the first book to explore the intricacies of domestic life in Russia across the modern period.
Surveying the period from 1700 right up to the present day, the book explores the marital and domestic arrangements of Russians at multiple levels of society and the impact of broader historical developments, including war and revolution, upon them. It also traces the evolution of marriage, household and home as institutions over three centuries, whilst also highlighting the inter-relationship between public policy and private life, in what is a wholly original historical assessment of domesticity in modern Russia. In the process, the author expertly synthesizes the key works, arguments and discussions in the field, mapping out the historiographical landscape of this compelling aspect of Russian social history.
Marriage, Household and Home in Modern Russia is crucial reading for any student or scholar of modern Russian history.
Foreword
A historical exploration of Russians’ marital, household and domestic arrangements and the expectations associated with them over the course of three centuries.
Additional text
A brilliant demonstration of the central importance of family and gender relations to the course of Russian history over more than 300 years. In lucid prose, replete with sharp insights and vivid personal stories, based on archival sources, as well as the latest research, the book offers both an introduction to the field and a thoughtful interpretation of its subject. A must read for both students and teachers.
