Up from Serfdom: My Childhood and Youth in Russia, 1804-1824

by Aleksandr Nikitenko

Book Overview

"A rare and powerful document. Nikitenko's memoir should take its place next to the very best ex-slave narratives and those of untouchables in India."--James C. Scott

"An important historical account that reveals a great deal about the realities of serfdom."--Juliet Wittman, Washington Post Book World

"One of the best surviving accounts of Russian serfdom."--Blake Eskin, Lingua Franca

Aleksandr Nikitenko, born into...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300097166
• ISBN13: 9780300097160
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Up From Serfdom: My Childhood and Youth in Russia, 1804-1824 by Aleksandr Nikitenko [Paperback

good

A fascinating look at life in early 19th century Russia

What a fun book! The author tells of his life as a serf in the Imperial Russia of the early 19th Century. Admittedly, his was not the life of a typical serf--he was well educated, eventually being emancipated by his "owner" (and the description of this process is in itself fascinating). The great part of this book is in the details--the descriptions of the people, places, and interactions of his childhood; the reader cannot help sympathizing with his poor father who tries over and over again to make the best of his situation, yet is trapped by his social standing. This work is a great addition to the current understanding of life in Russia during the period.