The Perversion Of Knowledge: The True Story Of Soviet Science - Softcover

Birstein, Dr. Vadim J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813342805 ISBN 13: 9780813342801

Publisher: Basic Books, 2004

Synopsis

During the Soviet years, Russian science was touted as one of the greatest successes of the regime. Russian science was considered to be equal, if not superior, to that of the wealthy western nations. The Perversion of Knowledge, a history of Soviet science that focuses on its control by the KGB and the Communist Party, reveals the dark side of this glittering achievement. Based on the author's firsthand experience as a Soviet scientist, and drawing on extensive Russian language sources not easily available to the Western reader, the book includes shocking new information on biomedical experimentation on humans as well as an examination of the pernicious effects of Trofim Lysenko's pseudo-biology. Also included are many poignant case histories of those who collaborated and those who managed to resist, focusing on the moral choices and consequences. The text is accompanied by the author's own translations of key archival materials, making this work an essential resource for all those with a serious interest in Russian history.

About this title

About the Author

Vadim J. Birstein, Ph.D., a Russian-American geneticist and historian, is the author of more than 140 scientific papers and monographs. A member of the Russian Academy of Science for over twenty years, he was a dissident who experienced firsthand the cruelty of the Soviet regime's control of science. He lives in New York City.

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813342805
• ISBN 13: 9780813342801
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512