Stalin and the scientists : a history of triumph and tragedy, 1905-1953

An Epic Story Of Courage, Genius And Terrible Folly, This Is The First History Of How The Soviet Union's Scientists Became Both The Glory And The Laughing Stock Of The Intellectual World. Simon Ings Weaves Together What Happened When A Handful Of Impoverished And Underemployed Graduates, Professors And Entrepreneurs, Collectors And Charlatans, Bound Themselves To A Failing Government To Create A World Superpower. And He Shows How Stalin's Obsessions Derailed A Great Experiment In 'rational Government'. Part 1. Control (1905-1929). Scholars -- Revolutionaries -- Entrepreneurs -- Workers -- Exploring The Mind -- Understanding Evolution -- Shaping Humanity -- Part 2. Power (1929-1941). 'storming The Fortress Of Science' -- Eccentrics -- The Primacy Of Practice -- Kooperatorka -- The Great Patron -- 'fascist Links' -- Office Politics -- 'we Shall Go To The Pyre' -- Part 3. Dominion (1941-1953). 'lucky Stiffs' -- 'can I Go To The Reactor?' -- 'how Did Anyone Dare Insult Comrade Lysenko?' -- Higher Nervous Activity -- 'the Death Agony Was Horrible' -- Succession. Simon Ings. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 437-495) And Index. A story of courage, genius and terrible folly. It is the history of how the Soviet Union's scientists became both the glory and the laughing stock of the intellectual world. It shows how Stalin's obsessions derailed a great experiment in 'rational government'. LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION War-torn, unstable and virtually bankrupt, revolutionary Russia tried to light its way to the future with the fitful glow of science.