An American Engineer in Stalin's Russia: The Memoirs of Zara Witkin, 1932-1934 b

Description: An American Engineer in Stalin's Russia by Zara Witkin, Michael Gelb In 1932 Zara Witkin, a prominent American engineer, set off for the Soviet Union with two goals: to help build a society more just and rational than the bankrupt capitalist system at home, and to seek out the beautiful film star Emma Tsesarskaia. His memoirs offer a detailed view of Stalins bureaucracy--entrenched planners who snubbed new methods; construction bosses whose cover-ups led to terrible disasters; engineers who plagiarized Witkins work; workers whose pride was defeated. Punctuating this document is the tale of Witkins passion for Tsesarskaia and the record of his friendships with journalist Eugene Lyons, planner Ernst May, and others. Witkin felt beaten in the end by the lethargy and corruption choking the greatest social experiment in history, and by a pervasive evil--the suppression of human rights and dignity by a relentless dictatorship. Finally breaking his spirit was the dissolution of his romance with Emma, his "Dark Goddess." In his lively introduction, Michael Gelb provides the historical context of Witkins experience, details of his personal life, and insights offered by Emma Tsesarskaia in an interview in 1989. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description In 1932 Zara Witkin, a prominent American engineer, set off for the Soviet Union with two goals: to help build a society more just and rational than the bankrupt capitalist system at home, and to seek out the beautiful film star Emma Tsesarskaia.His memoirs offer a detailed view of Stalins bureaucracy-entrenched planners who snubbed new methods; construction bosses whose cover-ups led to terrible disasters; engineers who plagiarized Witkins work; workers whose pride was defeated. Punctuating this document is the tale of Witkins passion for Tsesarskaia and the record of his friendships with journalist Eugene Lyons, planner Ernst May, and others.Witkin felt beaten in the end by the lethargy and corruption choking the greatest social experiment in history, and by a pervasive evil-the suppression of human rights and dignity by a relentless dictatorship. Finally breaking his spirit was the dissolution of his romance with Emma, his "Dark Goddess."In his lively introduction, Michael Gelb provides the historical context of Witkins experience, details of his personal life, and insights offered by Emma Tsesarskaia in an interview in 1989. Author Biography Zara Witkin (1900-1940) was born in California to a family of Russian Jewish emigrants. On his return from the USSR in 1934 he founded a firm to manufacture prefabricated housing. After a long illness, he died in Los Angeles. Michael Gelb is Assistant Professor of History at Franklin and Marshall College. Details ISBN0520071344 Author Michael Gelb Short Title AN/AMERICAN ENGINEER IN STALIN Publisher University of California Press Language English ISBN-10 0520071344 ISBN-13 9780520071346 Media Book Format Hardcover Illustrations Yes Imprint University of California Press Subtitle The Memoirs of Zara Witkin, 1932-1934 Place of Publication Berkerley Country of Publication United States Birth 1900 Death 1940 Pages 352 DOI 10.1604/9780520071346 UK Release Date 1991-10-01 Year 1991 Publication Date 1991-10-01 AU Release Date 1991-10-01 NZ Release Date 1991-10-01 US Release Date 1991-10-01 DEWEY 624.092 Audience Undergraduate We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:159631578;

Price: 114.65 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-01-09T03:29:56.000Z

Shipping Cost: 13.36 AUD