The Hot Snow by Yuri Bondarev

Posted on May 24, 2025 by The Mitr

“Hot Snow” by Yuri Bondarev is a gripping war novel set during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. It tells the story of a Red Army anti-tank battery facing a relentless German assault led by General von Manstein. Despite overwhelming odds and severe losses, the Soviet soldiers manage to halt the German advance. The novel highlights themes of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie among the soldiers, and ends with General Lieutenant Bessonov awarding the surviving soldiers for their heroic efforts. Bondarev’s own experiences as a battery commander during the war add a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative.

Translated from the Russian by Robert Daglish

Note: Scan quality is very poor, but readable.

You can get the book here and here

The film adaptation of the book can be seen here

 

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Heroic Life Of Nikolai Ostrovsky by S. Tregub

Posted on May 23, 2025 by The Mitr

The Heroic Life of Nikolai Ostrovsky” by S. Tregub details the inspiring journey of Nikolai Ostrovsky, a Soviet writer and Communist activist, known for his novel “How the Steel Was Tempered.” Despite being stricken with severe illness that left him blind and paralyzed, Ostrovsky remained a dedicated revolutionary and writer. Tregub’s biography emphasizes Ostrovsky’s perseverance, ideological commitment, and his role as a symbol of Soviet resilience and determination during challenging times​.

Translated from the Russian by Helen Altschuler
Designed by Y. Rakuzin

You can get the book here and here

CONTENTS
Childhood—Adolescence—Youth 9
Illness. The Struggle to Return to the Ranks 24
The Writing of “How the Steel Was Tempered” 34
Return to the Ranks 47
Sochi, Orekhovaya Ulitsa, 47 61
In Moscow 80
The Summer of 1936 93
Ostrovsky’s Last Months 106
“How the Steel Was Tempered” .118
“Born of the Storm” .128
Always in the Ranks .141

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The Old Genie Hottabych – A Story of Make Believe by Lazar Lagin

Posted on May 22, 2025 by The Mitr

Lazar Lagin’s ‘The Old Genie Hottabych’ is a delightful story about Volka, a young Soviet boy who finds an ancient genie named Hottabych in an old jug. When Hottabych tries to fit into Volka’s world, his magic leads to all sorts of funny and crazy adventures. As the genie learns about modern life, Volka and Hottabych become good friends. The story is full of magic, friendship, and lots of laughs, making it a fun read for kids who love fantastical tales.

Translated from the Russian by Fainna Solasko
Illustrated and Designed by B. Markevich

You can get the book here and here

Contents

A Most Unusual Morning 9
The Strange Vessel 12
The Old Genie 15
The Geography Examination 37
Hottabych’s Second Service 40
An Unusual Event at the Movies 50
A Troubled Evening 59
A Chapter Which Is a Continuation of the Previous One 64
A Restless Night 67
The Unusual Events in Apartment 72
A No Less Troubled Morning 75
Why S. S. Pivoraki Became Less Talkative 83
An Interview with a Diver 86
Charting a Flight 90
The Flight 95
Zhenya Bogorad’s Adventures Far Away in the East 99
Tra-la-la, O ibn Alyosha! 104
Meet My Friend 107
Have Mercy on Us, O Mighty Ruler! 116
It’s So Embarrassing to Be an Illiterate Genie 121
Who’s the Richest? 127
A Camel in the Street 133
A Mysterious Happening in the Bank 139
Hottabych and Sidorelli 153
A Hospital Under the Bed 156
One in Which We Return to the Barking Boy 167
Hottabych and Mr. Moneybags 170
Hassan Abdurrakhman ibn Hottab’s Story of His Adventures After Leaving the Shop 173
The Same and Mr. Moneybags 181
Extra Tickets 183
Ice-Cream Again 185
How Many Footballs Do You Need? 188
Hottabych Enters the Game 192
The Situation Becomes More Tense 200
Reconciliation 202
Where Should They Look for Omar? 205
The Story Told by the Conductor of the Moscow-Odessa Express of What Happened on the Nara-Maly Yaroslavets Line 211
The Strange Sailing Ship 213
Aboard the “Sweet Omar” 220
The “VK-1” Magic-Carpet-Seaplane 224
Hottabych Is Lost and Found Again 231
The Vessel From the Pillars of Hercules 234
The Shortest Chapter of All 235
Dreaming of the “Ladoga” 243
A Commotion at the Central Excursion Bureau 247
Who Is Most Famous? 253
The Unexpected Encounter 260
What Interferes with Sleeping? 262
Shipwrecked? 267
Hottabych at His Best 274
“Salaam, Sweet Omar!” 284
Omar Asaf Bares His Claws 294
What Good Optical Instruments Can Lead To 300
Hottabych’s Fatal Passion 302
Hottabych’s New Year Visit 308
Epilogue 308

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Living Water ( A Novel In Four Parts) by Alexei Kozhenikov

Posted on May 21, 2025 by The Mitr

The story highlights the collective efforts and struggles of Soviet citizens to implement large-scale irrigation systems, thereby turning barren land into fertile fields. Set in post-World War II Soviet Union, the novel emphasizes themes of perseverance, community, and the triumph of human will over environmental challenges. This work, written in the style of Socialist Realism, reflects the broader goals of the Communist Party in improving agricultural productivity and living standards​.

Translated from the Russian by Bernard Isaacs
Illustrated by D. Piatkin
Designed by B. Schwarz

Original scan by DLI, this is a cleaned, optimised scan.

You can get the book here and here

 

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Our Summer by Yelena Uspenskaya

Posted on May 20, 2025 by The Mitr

“Our Summer” by Yelena Uspenskaya, originally published in 1954, is a novel that delves into the experiences of a group of Soviet children during their summer vacation. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Soviet Union, the story captures the innocence, adventures, and camaraderie of youth while subtly reflecting the values and societal changes of the era. The narrative is enriched with vivid descriptions and a deep sense of nostalgia, making it a compelling read about childhood and the impact of historical context on everyday life.

Translated from the Russian by Ivy Litvinova and Margaret Wettlin
Illustrated by B. Semyonov Designed by I. Litvishko

Original scan by DLI, this is a cleaned, optimised scan.

You can get the book here and here

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The Road To Great Victory Soviet Diplomacy 1941-1945 by Vilns Sipols

Posted on May 19, 2025 by The Mitr

This book chronicles the pivotal role of Soviet diplomacy during the Great Patriotic War, offering a detailed examination of the USSR’s strategic maneuvers and alliances. From the initial challenges faced at the outbreak of war to the eventual victory over Nazi Germany, the narrative underscores the resilience and foresight of Soviet leadership. Highlighting key events such as the Moscow Conference on Military Supplies, the formation of the three-power coalition, and the significant turning points at Stalingrad and Kursk, the book showcases the Soviet Union’s unwavering commitment to defeating fascism. The comprehensive analysis of international conferences, including Tehran, Crimea, and Berlin, illustrates the USSR’s crucial influence in shaping the post-war world order. With an emphasis on the Soviet Union’s diplomatic triumphs and its steadfast pursuit of global peace and security, this book is an essential read for understanding the profound impact of Soviet diplomacy in the Second World War.

This is a cleaned, optimised scan of
https://archive.org/details/RoadtoGreatVictory/mode/2up
A 1985 Soviet work. Scanned by Alex Boykowich.
From Thomas Mrett’s collection on the Internet Archive
https://archive.org/details/@ismail_badiou

Translated from the Russian by Lev Bobrov
Designed by Gennady Gubanov

You can get the book here and here

Introduction 7

Chapter I. SOVIET DIPLOMACY AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR 9

-Priorities of Soviet Foreign Policy
—The British and U.S. Stance as Regards the U.S.S.R.
—Soviet-British Agreement of July 12, 1941
—Harry Hopkins’ Visit to Moscow—Soviet Accession to the Atlantic Charter
—Moscow Conference on Military Supplies
—The Second Front Issue
—Churchill—A Dubious Ally
—The U.S.S.R. and the Governments in Exile—Relations with Southern Neighbors
—The Soviet Union and Militarist Japan

Chapter II. THREE-POWER COALITION FORMED.57

-International Import of the German Defeat at Moscow—Eden in Moscow
—United Nations Declaration of January 1, 1942—Soviet-British Treaty of Alliance (May 26, 1942)
—Communique on the Second Front Issue
—Soviet-American Agreement of June 11, 1942—U.S.S.R. and the Free French
—Churchill in Moscow: No Second Front in 1942—Unfair Play over Supplies

Chapter III. SOVIET DIPLOMACY AT THE TURNING POINT OF THE WAR 109

-The Tide Turns
—The International Position of the U.S.S.R. after the Battle of Stalingrad
—Churchill’s Anti-Soviet Collusion with the Turks
—Britain and the U.S. Refuse to Open a Second Front in 1943
—After the Battle of Kursk
—The U.S.S.R. and Post-War Peace Settlement

Chapter IV. THE TEHRAN CONFERENCE 148

-The Tripartite Conference of Foreign Ministers
—On the Eve of the Tehran Conference
—The Tehran Conference Opened. Second Front in Debate
—Post-War Germany
—The Polish Question
—International Security Organization. The Colonial Question—Finland’s Withdrawal from the War
—Three-Power Declaration on Iran

Chapter V. 1944: LIBERATING MISSION 179

-Armistice with Finland Signed
—Romania Defeated. Armistice Agreement
—Soviet Action to Get Bulgaria out of the War
—Fascist Hungary Defeated—Treatment of Germany Considered
—The U.S.S.R. and the Question of Poland’s Future
—Soviet-Czechoslovak Relations
—The U.S.S.R. and New Yugoslavia
—The U.N. Charter Framed—Treaty of Alliance Between the U.S.S.R. and France, December 10, 1944

Chapter VI. THE CRIMEA CONFERENCE 213

-The Front-Lines in Early 1945
—The Conference Opened—Hastening the Defeat of the Aggressors
—The German Question
—The Credit Issue
—International Security Organization Established
—Declaration on Liberated Europe
—The Polish Question—The Yugoslav Question
—Convention on the Straits
—U.S.S.R. and the Japanese Aggressors

Chapter VII. VICTORY OVER GERMANY 250

The End of the War in Europe
—Truman Tough on the U.S.S.R.
—San Francisco Conference. U.N. Charter Drafted
—The Polish Governmental Question Settled
—Soviet-Yugoslav Treaty of Mutual Assistance, April 11, 1945

Chapter VIII. THE CONFERENCE OF BERLIN 275

-Procedures for Peace Settlement
—The German Problems—The Polish Problems
—Policy Towards Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland
—The Problem of Navigation on the Danube
—Attitude to Fascist Spain
—German Military Units Preserved by Britain
—The War in the Far East

Conclusion 318

Name Index 321

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Africa Politics, Economy, Ideology by A. Iskenderov

Posted on May 18, 2025 by The Mitr

This book deals with the problems the newly-independent African countries are meeting with in their development. It is an attempt to analyse the qualitative changes in the composition and position of the social, class and political forces since the acquisition of national independence and to investigate the conditions and possibilities for these countries’ development along the path of social progress. The author’s main aim is to draw attention to the new features and events that make it easier to understand the basic laws and distinguishing traits of the present-day African revolution.

Translated from the Russian by G. Ivanov-Mumjiev
Designed by S. Danilov

You can get the book here and here

This is a cleaned, optmised scan of
https://archive.org/details/AfricaPolEconIdeo
A 1972 Soviet work. Scanned by Alex Boykowich.
From Thomas Mretts collection on the Internet Archive.

 

 

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 5
THE AFRICAN REVOLUTION—A PART OF THE WORLD REVOLUTIONARY PROCESS13
MOTIVE FORCES OF THE AFRICAN REVOLUTION. 36
STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC EMANCIPATION 63
KEY PROBLEM OF NEWLY-INDEPENDENT AFRICAN STATES 96
SOCIALIST TRENDS IN AFRICA AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM 119
AFRICA AND THE STRUGGLE OF THE TWO SYSTEMS 145

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1984 And “1984” by Melor Strua

Posted on May 17, 2025 by The Mitr

Where and How Have George Orwell’s Forecasts Come True?

Translated from the Russian by Peter Tempest.

Melor STURUA (b. 1928), Soviet writer and journalist specializing in international af­ fairs, has been on the staff of the government newspaper Izvestia for over thirty years. He has been to many countries in the West and East as special correspondent and has written books about West Germany, Britain, the United States and other countries.
From 1977 to 1983 he was Izvestia correspondent in the United States. He is a winner of the Waclaw Worowski and Alexei Tolstoy prizes.

You can get the book here and here

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Asian Dilemma A Soviet View And Myrdal’s Concept by R. Ulyanovsky, V. Pavlov

Posted on May 16, 2025 by The Mitr

Asian Dilemma – A Soviet View and Myrdal’s Concept by R. Ulyanovsky and V. Pavlov critically examines the socio-economic development and industrialization strategies in Asia from a Soviet perspective. The book engages with Gunnar Myrdal’s “alternative, institutional theory,” challenging his methods and conclusions about the multi-structural nature of Asian societies and the impact of foreign capital. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive socio-economic transformation and state intervention to overcome stagnation and underdevelopment, arguing for the adoption of socialist principles as a solution to the region’s challenges. This Soviet critique underscores the ideological clash between Western and Soviet approaches to economic development and social progress in the Third World.

Translated from the Russian by Leo Lempert
Edited by Robert Daglish and Leonid Kolesnikov

You can get the book here and here
CONTENTS

1. A Few Words About Professor Myrdal 7
2. Professor Myrdal’s “Unbiased” Approach and His “Alternative, Institutional Theory” 10
3. Recognition of the Multi-Structural Nature of Society as a Methodological Basis of Research 15
4. Distribution System as a Derivative of the Mode of Production and Its Indicator 19
5. Awareness of Social Being in Conditions of Multi-Structural Societies 24
6. Essence of Stagnation, Underdevelopment and Need to Develop 28
7. The “Institutional Concept” and the Doctrine of Industrialisation 41
8. Importance of a Comprehensive Study and All-Round Transformation of the Third World 47
9. Relationship of the Universal and the Particular in the Evolution of South Asia 50
10. Objective Truth and Subjective Evaluations 55
11. The Theory and Practice of the Two Ways of Development 80
12. State Regulation of the Economy. Its Aims and Possibilities— the Example of India 90
13. Some Theoretical and Practical Aspects of State-Capitalist Regulation 99
14. Elimination of Backwardness—in the Name of the People and for the People 118
15. The Democratic Essence of State Intervention in Socio-Economic Processes 124
16. Positions of Foreign Capital 133
17. The Socialist Community and the Third World 137
18. The Non-Capitalist Path as an Historical Reality 152

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An Unwritten Story By Somerset Maughan Novellas Raduga by Yu. Nagibin

Posted on May 15, 2025 by The Mitr

Yuri Nagibin (b. 1920) published his first short story in 1940 while he was still a student at the Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. In June 1941, Nagibin volunteered for active duty and was posted to the front lines as a war correspondent for the Trud (Labour) newspaper.

The range of Nagibin’s themes is exceptionally broad: he has written about the war, dramatic aspects of contemporary life, childhood and children, hunting and nature, and much else. More than 50 collections of Nagibin’s stories have been published to date, with an aggregate of over 20 million copies sold. Collections of his works have been published in Chile, France, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Japan, and the USA.

Nagibin has also written a number of film scripts, including The Little Girl and the Echo, which won the Grand Prix in Cannes and a silver sails award in Locarno. The Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa also used Nagibin’s script for his film Dersu Uzala, which won an Oscar.

This volume contains Nagibin’s better-known stories.

You can get the book here and here

Contents

Author’s Foreword. Translated by J. C. Butler 7
Echo. Translated by Natalia Lukoshkova 23
We Shall Live. Translated by Diana Russell 50
The Green Bird with the Bright Red Head. Translated by Graham Whittaker 73
Wanted Urgently! Grey Human Hair. Translated by J. C. Butler 92
Somewhere Near the Conservatoire. Translated by Robert Daglish 141
The Hushed Spring. Translated by J. C. Butler 231
The Outsider. Translated by Eve Manning 251
The Beautiful Horse. Translated by J. C. Butler 317
Envoy from a Mysterious Land. Translated by Valentina Jacque 331
The River of Heraclitus. Translated by Graham Whittaker 352
An Unwritten Story by Somerset Maugham. Translated by S. Kotlobye 418

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