This book is truly an excellent resource that comprehensively explains the history of Russia.

It is filled to the brim with a wealth of facts not only about Russia itself but also about the Jews who resided there.

The author provides a detailed and in-depth account of the "refuseniks", those individuals who courageously fought and endured numerous hardships in their pursuit of freedom.

Reading this book is truly a "eye opener" as it offers a unique perspective and sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Russian history.

It allows readers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the struggles and sacrifices that were made by these remarkable individuals.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian history or the history of the Jewish people.

An interesting reminder of my USSR history has emerged, as if I needed one, highlighting just how happy I am not to have been born in Russia. It's quite a thought-provoking realization. However, despite this interesting aspect, it just didn't manage to grab me in the way his novels have. I have to admit, sorry Potok. There's something about his novels that has a certain allure and charm that this particular reminder lacks. Maybe it's the depth of the characters, the engaging storylines, or the unique perspectives they offer. Whatever it is, it has left a lasting impression on me, while this reminder of USSR history, although interesting, just didn't have the same impact.

There are not many writers who can move beautifully between fiction and non-fiction.

It turns out that Potok is one of them.

Potok's unique talent lies in his ability to seamlessly transition between these two distinct literary forms.

In his fictional works, he creates vivid and engaging worlds, populated by complex and believable characters.

His stories draw readers in and keep them hooked until the very end.

On the other hand, in his non-fiction pieces, Potok presents real-life events and experiences with the same level of skill and artistry.

He has a keen eye for detail and a gift for bringing the past to life.

Whether he is writing about history, culture, or personal memoirs, Potok's non-fiction is always informative and thought-provoking.

Overall, Potok's ability to move beautifully between fiction and non-fiction makes him a truly remarkable writer.

While this book is a multi-generational history of a family, it is also a profound view. Through the lens of this family, we can see the plight of Russian Jewry. They suffered at the hands of those who were power hungry and fearful of what was different from them. As Potok writes, “. . . those rendered so rigid by ideas that all reason fails them . . ..”

Just as he did with “Wanderings,” Potok approaches this history in a fictional style. It is not a dry compilation of facts, places, and dates. Instead, it is a compelling story that has the power to draw you in. The protagonist of this book is the family and what they represented. We become invested in their lives, their struggles, and their hopes.

Potok's writing allows us to experience the history of Russian Jewry in a deeply personal way. We feel the pain and the joy of the family, and we gain a greater understanding of the forces that shaped their lives. This book is not just a history; it is a work of art that brings the past to life.

This work is significantly more difficult to penetrate compared to Potok's fiction.

However, I suspect that this could potentially be attributed to the very nature of the genre itself.

This particular book serves as a biography encompassing two generations, while simultaneously functioning as a valuable history lesson.

It has imparted to me a wealth of knowledge regarding my own family history, far surpassing what my own "family chronicles" have ever managed to convey.

It achieves this simply by being astonishingly informative!

The detailed accounts and insights provided within its pages offer a unique perspective that allows for a deeper understanding of not only the individuals within the two generations but also the historical context in which they lived.

It is truly a remarkable piece of literature that combines the personal and the historical in a seamless and engaging manner.

This is a rather unique book. It is deceptively short in appearance, but it actually takes a significant amount of time to read.

This isn't a criticism; it's just an observation. Maybe it's due to the small letters, I suppose.

Having studied several Russian history courses in college, I can assert with some confidence that this is an excellent book for understanding Russian history from the Bolshevik Revolution to a few years after Stalin's death. In fact, it's probably the best one I've read on the subject.

It narrows its focus on one of the characters during that time period, which means you lose the broader sweep of history. However, the Soviet Union seemed to have frozen in time, and I've always found everything that came after Stalin to be rather tedious. It was as if the government couldn't decide whether to open up more or continue to murder everyone, so they settled for allowing petty KGB agents to settle personal scores without any consequences.

Stalin was killing around 2 million people a year out of paranoia. After Stalin, they might not necessarily kill you, but they would definitely mess with you. If someone didn't like you, they'd send you to Siberia for hard labor for 10 years, or maybe get you fired or prevent you from leaving the country.

The other strange aspect of this book is that it feels like a school report at times. It can be rather disjointed, as if the author wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to focus on. But even those parts are beautifully written, given that it's Chaim Potok.

Newly updated writer rankings show that Mark Twain is still at the top, and Chaim Potok is in second place. I simply can't get enough of these Jewish books.

Geschiedkundig interessant: The life in Stalinist Russia is well elaborated, and the grotesque and unthinkable atrocities of the KGB are both gruesome and almost amusing (if only they weren't too cruel to be actually found witty).
Unfortunately, it is extremely unreadable. It jumps from one thing to another, full of unnecessary details and repetitions. And I really got crazy, for example, with constantly naming 'Solomon Slepak' by his full name: there is only one Solomon in the book and he is the third main character.
The author seems to have lost the thread while writing, making it a real struggle for the reader to follow the story. The excessive use of details and the lack of a clear narrative flow make it a rather tiresome read.
However, despite its flaws, the book does offer some interesting insights into the historical period. But it could have been presented in a much more engaging and accessible way.

I've never been a fan of non-fiction. Reading it and retaining the information has always been a challenge for me. However, I decided to pick up this book for two reasons. Firstly, it was the monthly pick for the Jewish Book Group. Secondly, it was my November Fall Flurries selection for my main group.

To my surprise, it was an eye-opening experience. Through the lives of Masha and Voldaya Slepak, I learned about the hardships and trials that Soviet Jewry endured. Their journals and story revealed years of oppression, violence, needless death, and yet another attempt to exterminate or drive out Jews.

The story was truly remarkable. One of the most fascinating aspects was how Voldaya's father, Solomon, managed to escape what should have been certain extermination. Despite being an old Bolshevik and a Jew, he always evaded arrest and execution. He swore to his son that they would never leave, and somehow they remained. The father-son disconnect was a compelling part of the narrative. Attending his estranged father's funeral had a significant impact on saving Voldaya's life at that time.

Many people had experiences similar to the Slepak's, but not all were able to share their stories. Some didn't survive, while others managed to escape earlier, often with less mystery and behind-the-scenes drama. I believe this story is worth telling and reading. I'm glad I had the opportunity (twice) to pick it up and remember the struggles and sacrifices of Soviet Jewry.

"Interessant; maar lang" can be translated to "Interesting; but long". This simple phrase seems to convey a certain sentiment about something. It could be referring to a book, a movie, a lecture, or any other form of communication or experience that is initially engaging but perhaps a bit too drawn out.

For example, a movie might have an interesting plot and captivating characters, but if it goes on for three hours, some viewers may start to feel restless. Similarly, a book could have a fascinating story, but if it is overly detailed or has a slow pace, readers might lose interest.

In general, when something is described as "interesting; but long", it implies that there is a trade-off between the quality or appeal of the thing and its length or duration. While the content may be engaging, the length can sometimes become a deterrent. It is important to find a balance between keeping the audience interested and not overwhelming them with too much information or a drawn-out experience.

Perhaps the creators of the thing in question could consider ways to streamline or condense the content without sacrificing its essence. This could involve cutting out unnecessary details,加快节奏 (speeding up the pace), or finding more efficient ways to convey the message. By doing so, they may be able to enhance the overall experience and make it more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.

A profound understanding of antisemitism in both old Russia and the Soviet Union can be gained.

It is also an insight into how Jews are highly inclined to integrate for the sake of revolutionary and democratic change.

However, this integration does not always work to their own advantage or in line with their best cultural interests.

In old Russia, Jews faced various forms of discrimination and persecution, which had a significant impact on their lives and communities.

During the Soviet era, while there were efforts towards equality and social change, the situation for Jews was complex.

Some Jews actively participated in the revolutionary and democratic movements, hoping to create a more just and equal society.

But in the process, they sometimes had to make compromises that might not have been entirely beneficial to them or their cultural heritage.

This complex relationship between Jews and the Russian/Soviet context provides a rich area for further study and reflection.

An excellent and captivating true story unfolds about the Slepak family and the complex treatment of Jews in Russia. The narrative begins by tracing the remarkable rise of Solomon Slepak. He managed to become a high-ranking member in the early days of Communist Russia. However, his journey took a drastic turn with his eventual downfall. The story then seamlessly transitions to his son, Volodya, who emerged as a leader among the dissidents. This account provides a wealth of information about life in Russia during those times. It is masterfully told by Potok, who weaves together the personal experiences of the Slepak family with the broader historical context. The reader is drawn into their world, experiencing the joys, sorrows, and challenges they faced. It is a story that not only educates but also touches the heart, leaving a lasting impression.