Mir Books

The present collection is composed of stories
written by Soviet authors during the past decade,
with the exception of the three pre-revolutionary
stories by Maxim Gorky with which the volume opens.

Original scan by DLI.

Note: Scan quality is poor and just readable at times.

You can get the book here and here

CONTENTS

Maxim Gorky
A MAN IS BORN 11
MALVA 25
HOW A SONG WAS COMPOSED 91

Alexei Tolstoi
THE RUSSIAN CHARACTER .97
A STRANGE STORY 107

Mikhail Sholokhov
HATE 123

Alexander Fadeyev
EARTHQUAKE 146

Sergei Sergeyev-Tsensky
THE OLD DOCTOR 162

Boris Gorbatov
FRIENDSHIP 183
THE RETURN OF SATANAU 212

Konstantin Simonov
MATURITY 225
THE CANDLE 246

Ilya Ehrenburg
THE ACTRESS 252

Vasili Grossman
LIFE 260

Valentin Katayev
OUR FATHER 296

Vadim Kozheinikov
MARCH APRIL 309

Pavel Bazhov
THE MISTRESS OF THE COPPER HILL
THE IRON GRANNIE 351

Leonid Sobolev
HIS SWEETHEART 366

Yuri Dombrovsky
FETIS ZYABLIKOA 375

Sergei Dikovsky
THE COMMANDANT OF BIRD ISLAND 385

Konstantin Paustovsky
NASTYA THE LACEMAKER 412

Ilya Ilf and Eugene Petrov
COLUMBUS REACHES PORT 419
THE WONDER GUESTS 428

Arkadi Gaidar
THE TELEGRAM 436

A picture story book for children.

Note: Scan quality is extremely poor.

You can get the book here and here

A picture story book for children.

Note: Scan quality is extremely poor.

You can get the book here and here

A picture story book for children.

Note: Scan quality is extremely poor.

You can get the book here and here

This book deals with the life and works of the great Russian scientist Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleyev. Mendeleyev’s work had many features that were typical of advanced Russian natural science as a whole. He possessed a breadth of vision that led him into many fields of scientific work.

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

You can get the book here and here

Maxim Gorky’s Tales of Italy is a collection of short stories that explore the lives and struggles of the working class in Italy. Written during Gorky’s travels in the country, these stories capture the essence of Italian life through vivid descriptions and compelling character portrayals. Each tale delves into the themes of poverty, injustice, and human resilience, reflecting Gorky’s socialist ideals and empathy for the downtrodden. The collection offers a poignant and critical look at society, highlighting the universal quest for dignity and justice amidst adversity.

Translated from the Russian by Rose Prokofieva
Illustrated by T.V. Shishmareva

You can get the book here and here
CONTENTS

THE STRIKE 1
CHILDREN OF PARMA .19
FLOWERS .27
THE TUNNEL 33
THE CITY 41
MIDDAY 45
THE WEDDING .53
THE PROPAGANDIST 61
THE MOTHER 75
THE MONSTER 99
THE MOTHER OF A TRAITOR .111
THE FISHERMAN’S BEHEST .123
THE SENTENCE .131
HOW GIOVANNI BECAME A SOCIALIST .143
BROTHER AND SISTER 165
THE INTELLIGENTSIA .181
THE TROUBLE-MAKER .191
VENDETTA 205
GIOVANNI TUBA .213
OLD CECCO 223
THE NATIVITY .235
NUNCIA .249
CARLONE GALIARDI .259
YOUNG ITALY 265
HATRED .277
PEPE 287
EASTER 297

“How the Steel Was Tempered”
How the Steel Was Tempered is a Soviet novel by Nikolai Ostrovsky. It tells the story of Pavel Korchagin, a young man who becomes a dedicated revolutionary fighter during the Russian Civil War and subsequent socialist construction. Through personal hardship and immense physical suffering, Pavel embodies the virtues of self-sacrifice, perseverance, and loyalty to the communist cause. His journey from an enthusiastic youth to a battle-hardened, paralyzed soldier reflects the ideological tenets of socialist realism, emphasizing the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and the importance of collective over individual goals.

Nikolai Ostrovsky and His Struggles
Nikolai Ostrovsky, the author of How the Steel Was Tempered, faced significant personal struggles throughout his life. Born in 1904, he joined the Komsomol and later the Red Army, participating actively in the Russian Civil War. At the age of 19, he was severely injured, leading to paralysis and blindness due to a progressive illness. Despite these debilitating conditions, Ostrovsky wrote his novel using a special frame to guide his pen, dictating to his family, and later typing with one finger. His determination to continue his work despite immense physical suffering mirrored the resilience and dedication of his protagonist, making his life story an inspiring testament to perseverance and the human spirit.

Translated from the Russian by R. Prokofieva
Illustrations by A. Reznichenko
Designed by I. Tsarevich

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

Part 1 here and here

Part 2 here and here