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The Women of Izmaelovka documents the lives of seven women who are residents of a Siberian village located on the steppes of the Ural region. The village was turned into a collective farm in 1929. As the women reflect on their lives, they discuss significant events such as collectivization, Joseph Stalin's acts of repression, the Great Patriotic War, de-Stalinization, Nikita Khrushchev's agricultural programs, the Brezhnev years and the fall of the Communist Party. Various stages of the women's lives are explored, including the years of educational experiences, marriage, motherhood, and assigned work. The daily routines of domestic duties, activities in the Village Club, and village traditions are also discussed. Having little control of their destinies and sacrificing much in order to survive, the women endured long hours of tedious labor under difficult situations. They detail having worked as milkmaids, pig herders, tractor drivers, combine operators, nurses, librarians, and Village Club coordinators.
List of contents
Part 1 Acknowledgements
Part 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Introduction "The Prelude to Collectivization"
Chapter 4 Izmaelovka within the Ural Region of Siberia
Chapter 5 "Old Survivor"
Chapter 6 "Tractor Driver"
Chapter 7 "Dedicated Nurse"
Chapter 8 "Milk Maid"
Chapter 9 "Unhappy Wife"
Chapter 10 "War Widow and State Propagandist"
Part 11 Conclusion
Part 12 Glossary
Part 13 Bibliography
Part 14 About the Authors
About the author
Alexey Vinogradov, Ph.D. is Dean of Research at the Center for Archaeology, Historical Sociology and Cultural Heritage at St. Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg, Russia. Albert Pleysier is Professor of History at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia. Dr. Vinogradov and Professor Pleysier have published several scholarly articles and books including The Battle for Leningrad: Memories of its Citizens and People in the Occupied Surrounding Areas.
