The Soviet Gulag: History and Memory

The Soviet Gulag: History and Memory, by Jeffrey S. Hardy, is the first concise history of the Gulag in English, providing an illuminating account of the system from 1917 to the end of the Soviet Union and the contested memory of the Gulag that persists today. It explores how administrators and inmates experienced the Gulag, as well as the main scholarly debates surrounding it. The book also examines the post-Soviet era, revealing how politicians, nongovernmental organizations, and Gulag survivors have debated how to commemorate the victims of the Gulag.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Gulag, the notorious penal system of the Soviet Union, is vividly depicted in this book, which charts how Bolshevik ideals of a compassionate alternative to Tsarist exile and Western penitentiaries evolved into a chaotic and violent system of mass incarceration. As the first comprehensive history written in English, The Soviet Gulag: History and Memory offers an enlightening account of the Gulag, from its inception in 1917 to the end of the Soviet Union and the ongoing debate surrounding the Gulag's memory.

Beginning with the origins of the Gulag during the 1920s, when various penal experiments were conducted, the book explores the Gulag's expansion during the campaigns against perceived enemies of the Soviet regime in the 1930s. It also delves into the Gulag's decline in the years following Stalin's death. Throughout his exploration, Jeffrey S. Hardy examines how various aspects of Gulag life persisted until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. He addresses the intentions of administrators and the experiences of inmates, as well as the major scholarly debates surrounding these issues.

Crucially, the book also examines the post-Soviet era. It explores how politicians, nongovernmental organizations, and Gulag survivors have debated how or even if to commemorate the victims of the Gulag. Hardy reveals that despite numerous monuments and museum displays emerging from these discussions, the Gulag's legacy remains fiercely contested in Russia today.

The Gulag system was a dark chapter in Soviet history, marked by the arbitrary imprisonment and suffering of millions of people. The book's exploration of the Gulag's origins, expansion, and decline sheds light on the complex and often contradictory motivations behind its creation and operation. It also highlights the resilience and resistance of those who endured the Gulag's hardships, as well as the ongoing efforts to commemorate and understand its legacy.

In conclusion, The Soviet Gulag: History and Memory is a vital contribution to our understanding of the Gulag and its enduring impact on Soviet and Russian history. By providing a comprehensive and nuanced account of the Gulag's history, the book enables us to better appreciate the complexities of the Soviet system and the human cost of its policies. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this dark chapter in history.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 133 x 211 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350128194