Stalin's School: Moscow's Model School No. 25, 1931-1937 (Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies)

Bringing a human dimension to the Soviet Union and a new understanding of Stalinism as a cultural and psychological phenomenon, Holmes (history, U. of South Alabama) examines the country's most famous and lavishly appointed school. He draws on published records, material in 11 archives, accounts left by visiting foreigners, and 36 interviews with people who were students in the 1930s. He sees the experience of the school at a microcosm and mirror of the interplay between state and society in decision making, and other feature of the period. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)