Stalin

The Zenkyoto Generation as an IdeologyYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Shuhei Kosaka, "Zenkyoto Generation as an Ideology" - Recommended work to feel the spirit of the times from the 60's through the author's personal narrative.

What was the student conflict?

For me, a stranger to that era, they were so mysterious and complex that I did not know how to understand them.

The book looks at the Zenkyoto and even the Red Army through the author's personal narrative.

I highly recommend this book as an introduction to Zenkyoto and the student conflict. I believe that we, the younger generation who do not know about this era, should read this book. Why not pick up a copy?
Faith in Modern ChinaChinese Buddhism, Thought and History

Ian Johnson, Faith in Modern China - A look at the reality of religious life under the Communist regime! A non-fiction book that questions what faith is all about!

The book is a work that follows the situation of religion in Communist China, where it was forbidden.

It was very interesting to learn about the current religious situation in China.

However, as was mentioned in this book, it was very scary to know that we do not know what will happen in the future because of the tight control that the Communist authorities have been exercising in recent years.

This book will give you an eye-opening glimpse of a China we never knew existed. It is full of information because the author actually did long-term, in-depth interviews. I highly recommend this book to learn about the religious situation in modern China. Why not pick up a copy?
Stalin's LibraryHistory of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin

Jeffrey Roberts, "Stalin's Library" - A novel biography of Stalin from the perspective of reading. How did he view Dostoevsky?

Hating him doesn't explain why and how he went to such lengths."

This is a very important point made by the author. If we put Stalin away as just a big bad man, that is where our thinking ends.

This is a very stimulating book that looks at Stalin from the perspective of "reading" to find out why he was able to become a dictator and what was behind his success. The author's courage to attack from a minor angle, "reading," which in a sense is not easily associated with dictatorships, is nothing short of amazing. It is very innovative.
Pavlov.The Industrial Revolution and British and European Society

Oxford Portrait of Science: Pavlov" A recommended biography of the great Russian scientist, famous for his "conditioned reflex" and Pavlov's dog!

The "conditioned reflex" and "Pavlov's dog" are directly related to modern brain science and neurological research. Therefore, I had assumed that they were more recent or had been studied in the UK or Germany.

I had no idea that was Russia in the 19th century!

At the very time that Dostoevsky and Tolstoy were drawing on psychological and religious writings that had little science in them, Pavlov was working on scientific research...

This was something I could not imagine if I only thought about Russian literature. In this sense, this biography is a valuable work that allowed me to look at Russia at that time from a different angle than usual, that of science.
Shakespeare, a treasure trove of masterpieces

Jean Benediti, "Stanislavsky Biography" - Recommended biography of the legendary Russian actor and director, best known for "An Actor's Work".

In this book, we will look at the life of the famous actor Stanislavsky. Stanislavsky was famous for his book "The Work of an Actor" (formerly translated as "The Actor's Training"), which had a tremendous influence on the world of theater and was read like a bible in Japan. His theatrical theory is called the "Stanislavsky System," and its influence seems to be alive and well even today.

The book also delves into the historical background of the time, rather than simply tracing Stanislavsky's life. It also provides an insight into how Stanislavsky and other theater people were operating in that historical context.
It was a very interesting book!
Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

(29) The connection between the sudden death of his beloved child Alyosha and "The Brothers Karamazov" - Dostoevsky as the father of his children.

In our previous article, we introduced you to Dostoevsky, the loving wife.

And in this article I would like to conclude my travelogue by introducing Dostoevsky as a father.

Dostoevsky, the loving wife, Dostoevsky, the father of a child.

I will now share with you an episode that is absolutely essential to know Dostoevsky as he walked with his wife.

I believe that if you read "The Brothers Karamazov" with the knowledge of Dostoevsky's love for his children, something different will surely grow inside your heart.
Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

(17) Dostoevsky criticized communism and socialist revolutionaries - The reality of the International Peace Conference in Geneva

In my previous article, I introduced you to the friendship between Mr. and Mrs. Dostoevsky in Geneva, and in this article I will discuss a very important point when considering the character of Dostoevsky.

Dostoevsky's stay in Geneva provided the impetus for his opposition to communism and socialism.

I believe that the significance of the Dostoevsky couple's trip to Western Europe is immeasurable, considering that their experience there led to "Evil Spirits" and "The Brothers Karamazov" later on.
Impressions of the Summer Recounted in Autumn - Trip to Paris and Georgia

(21) Go to Stalin's birthplace, Gori, Georgia - Feel the atmosphere of the former Soviet Union at the Stalin Museum

I mentioned in my last article that I came to Georgia to study Tolstoy.

However, if I had come all the way to Georgia, there was one place I really wanted to go.

That is the town of Gori, Stalin's birthplace.

In this article I will share my experiences visiting Stalin's youth and the Stalin Museum.