Socialist Escapes: Breaking Away from Ideology and Everyday Routine in Eastern Europe, 1945-1989 - Softcover

"... a rare book. It is rare because amidst a plethora of social sciences and historical literature it does not join a chorus of socialism's dismissal, and amidst a range of anthropological literature it does not simply investigate socialism's effects on people's everyday economic, cultural, and social lives... Rather, it seeks to highlight those effects that are usually neglected and negated: the possibility of pleasure and fun of living in the socialist world...[and] provides a much-needed antidote to stereotyped representations of socialism as monotonous, dreary, and dull... Scholars and students of anthropology, sociology, political science, and Eastern European and Slavic studies are sure to enjoy this book." · Anthropology of East Europe Review

"The biggest accomplishment of [this] volume lies in [its] ability to overcome the limits of the popular binary oppositions such as the state vs. the people, oppression vs. resistance, official culture vs. counter-culture, official market vs. black/gray markets, etc. ...[It] draws the reader's attention to the complexity of relations and networks under state socialism and add many colors to the everyday life experiences in socialist Central and Eastern Europe, still commonly related to as gray." · AHEA: E-Journal of the American Hungarian Educators Association

"...a superb collection of essays focusing on what the authors refer to as 'socialist escapes' in postwar eastern Europe under state socialism, i.e., on the everyday efforts of ordinary individuals to escape regime regimentation and control, as well as the challenges of everyday life, through a variety of leisure pursuits and activities...Written by a group of talented young scholars who demonstrate a thorough grounding in the former East European archives, the essays are well written and cohere very nicely." · Andrew I. Port, Wayne State University

During much of the Cold War, physical escape from countries in the East Bloc was a near impossible act. There remained, however, possibilities for other socialist escapes, particularly time away from party ideology and the mundane routines of everyday life. The essays in this volume examine sites of socialist escapes, such as beaches, camp sites, nightclubs, concerts, castles, cars, and soccer matches. The chapters explore the effectiveness of state efforts to engineer society through leisure, entertainment, and related forms of cultural programming and consumption, as it was in leisure and tourism that the party's intentions encountered Eigen-Sinn, the pursuit of individual interests. This volume leads to a deeper understanding of state- society relations in the East Bloc, where the state did not simply "dictate from above" and inhabitants had some opportunities to shape solidarities, identities, and meaning.

Cathleen M. Giustino is Professor of History at Auburn University where she teaches courses on modern Central and Eastern European history.

Catherine J. Plum is Associate Professor of History at Western New England University where she teaches courses on modern European and German history.

Alexander Vari is Associate Professor of Modern European History at Marywood University.