Before the Modern Russian Revolution: A Memoir about Traveling in the U.S.S. R. in a Time of Transformation

Today, when Russia has regained its power on the world stage and Putin is seeking to recreate the Russian empire, it is helpful to understand what Russia was like at the time of transformation set in motion by Gorbachev. For a time, Russia went through a period called "glasnost" and "perestroika" when all things seemed possible and a spirit of democracy was in the air. The Soviet Union was breaking up and everyday citizens were imagining a new democratic future, though this restructuring soon led to a period of capitalism and rampant crime, before the crackdown and transformation under Putin. Now Russia is in a confrontation with the West over the Ukraine and suffering new economic turmoil.

BEFORE THE MODERN RUSSIAN REVOLUTION is a look back at this time of rapid change by a sociologist and anthropologist who traveled to Russia and other countries that were part of the Soviet Union on three trips between 1987 and 1990. This book describes her journey there in 1988 as part of a citizen diplomacy group that offered an opportunity to make personal connections with people in all walks of life. It takes you to the heart of Soviet daily life, where you will meet working mothers, new entrepreneurs, lawyers, artists, journalists, psychologists, and others. While providing a marked contrast to the lifestyle of Russians today, these portraits help to provide insight into the new society Russia has become.