Revolution Rekindled: The Writers and Readers of Late Soviet Biography

Book at Lunchtime: Revolution Rekindled: The Writers and Readers of
Late Soviet Biography Polly Jones offers the first ever archival
and oral history study of Brezhnev-era publishing and propaganda
production, highlighting the consistent pressure throughout late
socialism to find new forms of propaganda and inspiring
'revolutionary' narratives, and challenges the widespread idea that
these became 'standardised' and 'stagnant' soon after Stalin's
death. Jones reveals the vitality and popularity of late Soviet
culture, especially biography and historical fiction. She
emphasises that both writers and readers found in late Soviet
'official' publishing opportunities to reflect on complex questions
of Russian and Soviet history and identity and employs extensive
new archival material, and oral history interviews with some of the
leading literary and cultural figures of the Brezhnev era. Panel
includes: Dr Katherine Lebow, Professor Ann Jefferson and Professor
Stephen Lovell