Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2016 20:16:44 GMT -7
Ustinov in Russia - ISBN 0-671-65954-5
Actor Peter Ustinov stars in the book which is a companion to the 1980's PBS television series of the same name. Born in London but of Russian and French heritage, Peter Ustinov shares his 20,000 mile journey through the USSR just a few years before it collapsed. Gorbachev was in power in the USSR and President Reagan was serving his second term in America at the time of the book was printed. "The Evil Empire" was rotten to the core and on the verge of dissolution in 1987 but you would never realize that from the author. It appears that he did not have a clue to the state of affairs in the country he extensively toured.
Peter Ustinov filled the book with tourist photos, many where he looms large, and personal commentary. The book is as much about him as it is about Russia. Politically, Peter Ustinov was a leftist and liberal in his views. In retrospect his political beliefs about Russia appear naive. The book contains profuse praise for Russia and the Russian way of life. It glosses over the mass starvation of 7 million Ukrainians by Stalin and completely ignores Stalin's peace pact with Hitler, that led to millions of more Russian deaths in World War II. 24 million Russians died in that war. Politics aside, the book is interesting and contains accurate stories of Russian life, history and society. The photos are excellent even if most are tourist oriented. Sometimes they are revealing; notice how even little children rarely smile in them. Great national monuments like the Winter Palace in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, show signs of neglect and decay. Automobiles are scarce and the streets are wide enough for...tanks and armored columns to roll down.
The architecture of Russia is gorgeous until you understand that Russian slave labor created much of it. Life was always cheap and labor plentiful in Russia. The state always loomed large and placed little value on life or personal achievement. It was the antithesis of Jefferson's words "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Early on in the book the author explains in a nonchalant manner how Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects who designed and oversaw the building of the multi-domed Saint Basil's cathedral, in what is now known as Red Square, Moscow. Ivan wanted to make sure that the architects could never design or build anything so beautiful again.
A map of the USSR and a brief but informative historical outline preface the main content. Peter Ustinov provided his own sketches and comments. Often times I stared at the sketches or reread his words in a futile attempt to gain some understanding. Most of the book was easy to grasp. I found it enjoyable even though it was often apologetic for a brutal and inhumane Russia.
I give it 3 stars *** out of five. Worth reading if you want to know more about Russia and the old USSR. Best to give it to thrift store when you are done.
Peter Ustinov filled the book with tourist photos, many where he looms large, and personal commentary. The book is as much about him as it is about Russia. Politically, Peter Ustinov was a leftist and liberal in his views. In retrospect his political beliefs about Russia appear naive. The book contains profuse praise for Russia and the Russian way of life. It glosses over the mass starvation of 7 million Ukrainians by Stalin and completely ignores Stalin's peace pact with Hitler, that led to millions of more Russian deaths in World War II. 24 million Russians died in that war. Politics aside, the book is interesting and contains accurate stories of Russian life, history and society. The photos are excellent even if most are tourist oriented. Sometimes they are revealing; notice how even little children rarely smile in them. Great national monuments like the Winter Palace in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, show signs of neglect and decay. Automobiles are scarce and the streets are wide enough for...tanks and armored columns to roll down.
The architecture of Russia is gorgeous until you understand that Russian slave labor created much of it. Life was always cheap and labor plentiful in Russia. The state always loomed large and placed little value on life or personal achievement. It was the antithesis of Jefferson's words "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Early on in the book the author explains in a nonchalant manner how Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects who designed and oversaw the building of the multi-domed Saint Basil's cathedral, in what is now known as Red Square, Moscow. Ivan wanted to make sure that the architects could never design or build anything so beautiful again.
A map of the USSR and a brief but informative historical outline preface the main content. Peter Ustinov provided his own sketches and comments. Often times I stared at the sketches or reread his words in a futile attempt to gain some understanding. Most of the book was easy to grasp. I found it enjoyable even though it was often apologetic for a brutal and inhumane Russia.
I give it 3 stars *** out of five. Worth reading if you want to know more about Russia and the old USSR. Best to give it to thrift store when you are done.