Science in Russia and the Soviet Union
A Short History

By the 1980s the Soviet scientific establishment had become the largest in the world, but very little of its history was known in the West. What has been needed for many years in order to fill that gap in our knowledge is a history of Russian and Soviet science written for the educated person who would like to read one book on the subject. This book has been written for that reader. The history of Russian and Soviet science is a story of remarkable achievements and frustrating failures. That history is presented here in a comprehensive form, and explained in terms of its social and political context. Major sections include the tsarist period, the impact of the Russian Revolution, the relationship between science and Soviet society, and the strengths and weaknesses of individual scientific disciplines. The book also discusses the changes brought to science in Russia and other republics by the collapse of communism in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Reviews & endorsements

'Science in Russia and the Soviet Union is a splendid work, a breathtaking synthesis that is at once erudite and accessible, illuminating and a pleasure to read. Not the least of Professor Graham's achievements is to explain why, on the whole, science has fared surprisingly well in the Soviet state, bringing to his task not only immense learning but an appreciation of the powerful influence of social and political context on the shaping of scientific endeavors. A rich and rewarding book.' Daniel J. Kevles, California Institute of Technology

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Product details

• Date Published: June 1994
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521287890
• length: 352 pages

• dimensions: 230 x 154 x 23 mm
• weight: 0.54kg
• availability: Available