{"title":"Michael David-Fox","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the thought-provoking works of Michael David-Fox, a distinguished historian and scholar known for his in-depth analysis of Soviet history and the political dynamics of the 20th century. His works offer invaluable insights into the intersection of politics, culture, and power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his notable contributions, \u003cem\u003eCrucibles of Power\u003c\/em\u003e, examines the complex mechanisms of Soviet political authority and sheds light on how power was constructed and wielded in Russia during pivotal moments in history. Engaging and meticulously researched, David-Fox's books are essential reads for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of history and military studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are passionate about exploring the multifaceted world of history and military encounters through a scholarly lens, the Michael David-Fox collection is an excellent choice for your bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"crucibles-of-power-by-michael-david-fox-9780674247468","title":"Crucibles of Power","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn illuminating new history of World War II–era Smolensk, a region at the crossroads of the two great dictatorships of the twentieth century.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Cold War, the Smolensk Archive held the only collection of Communist Party documents available to Western scholars, becoming the foundation for generations of scholarship on Soviet history. \u003cem\u003eCrucibles of Power\u003c\/em\u003e returns to the Smolensk Region with fresh eyes and fresh sources. Prizewinning historian Michael David-Fox traces the experiences of Smolensk residents between the interwar years and the end of World War II, a period during which the city and region passed from Stalinist rule to Nazi occupation and back. The result is a revelatory examination of choice and power under dueling forms of murderous totalitarianism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExploring the life-and-death decisions of a fascinating cast of characters—from young women in the Communist Youth League to a defence lawyer during Stalin's Great Terror who became Smolensk's collaborationist mayor during the German occupation—David-Fox shows how deeply the Stalinist and Nazi regimes relied on the cooptation of average citizens motivated by greed and need, but always within the orbit of ideology. Challenging today's Russian nationalist narrative of heroic WWII resistance, he finds that large numbers of Russians aided the Nazi occupation of Smolensk in order to protect themselves, secure their own self-interest, or pursue vendettas against a Soviet state they found no less corrupt or oppressive than its German foe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt a time when much of the world is tilting away from liberal democracy and towards authoritarianism, \u003cem\u003eCrucibles of Power\u003c\/em\u003e masterfully unravels the threads of dictatorial rule. Smolensk emerges as a laboratory for understanding the mechanics of both outright coercion and subtler forms of power, as well as the enabling behaviour of ordinary citizens acquiescing to extraordinary crimes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000581374188,"sku":"9780674247468","price":71.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/976563482428.jpg?v=1763286947"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/michael-david-fox.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}