Customer Reviews

The Life of a Russian Woman Doctor: A Siberian Memoir, 1869-1954

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Life of a Russian Woman Doctor" is a book with significant value at multiple levels. In the academic arena, it provides orginal source material for those studying both Russian history and the lives of women in Eastern European cultures. It is, in fact, already being used for this purpose in at least one college course. However, the book also has real value for a much broader audience. By both translating and editing Anna Bek's diary, Anne Rassweiler has provided the story of how an extraordinary woman lived out her dream to be a doctor. The story reminds us of how deeply dreams and living them out are part of our common humanity regardless of country, culture or gender. As such it is a story that can and should appeal to general readers. Anna Bek's story is fascinating by itself, but it is supplemented by the story of Anne Rassweiler's journey to find, understand, and tell that story. The first chapter is an incredible account of Anne's journey across the vast expanse of Siberia (seven time zones) to walk where Anna Bek walked, to meet her descendents and to do further research. It is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend both to the general reader and those with specific interest in Russian history and women's issues.

This book is informative regarding 19th and early 20th century Siberian life and women's issues in Russia. It offers a limited but intimate portrait of an unusually idealistic, thoughtful and courageous woman. Very readable which makes one all the more regret its brevity. An engaging read.