The Velvet Revolution in November 1989 brought about the collapse of the authoritarian communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia. It also marks the beginning of the country's journey towards democracy. This book examines what the values in so-called real socialism were, as well as how citizens' values changed after the 1989 collapse. In Velvet Revolutions, Miroslav Vanek and Pavel Mucke analyze and interpret 300 interviews on citizens' experience of freedom and its absence, the value of work, family and friends, education, relations to public sphere and politics, the experience of free time, and perception of foreigners and foreign countries. The interviewees are drawn from a wide range of professions, including manual workers, service workers, farmers, members of the armed forces, managers, and marketing personnel. All of the interviewees were at working age during the last twenty years of the communist regime and during the post-revolutionary transformation. From this rich foundation, the book builds a multi-layered view of Czech history before 1989 and during the subsequent period of democratic transformation.

About the Author
MV: director, Department of Oral History and Contemporary History, Charles University, Prague, and president, International Oral History Assocation PM: lecturer, Department of Oral History and Contemporary History, Charles University, Prague

Reviews
[A]mbitious... In sum, Vanek and Mucke's 'from below' perspective breaks much new ground (it scarcely mentions dissidents!), challenges preconceived notions of the communist polity, and brings to life, not least in the evocative brooding photographs of Jindrich treit, the subtle compromises, contradictions, colors, and 'messiness' of everyday life in 'normalized' Czechoslovakia. As such it will, I'm sure, prove very useful for teachers of history modules on communist Eastern Europe and political science courses on states and societies. * Kevin McDermott, Journal of Modern History *
The voices and memories that Vanek and Mucke so carefully heard and preserved give this work a rare and special human multi-dimensionality, and enhance appreciation of oral history and non-tangible heritage. * Cathleen M. Giustino, Slavic Review *
[S]hould be required reading for anyone studying the contemporary history of East Central Europe and of interest to anyone engaged in the theory and practice of social and political transformation generally... In form and content, Velvet Revolutions is a model of oral history scholarship and a fitting introduction to the remarkable body of work of the Czech Center for Oral History * Michael Kilburn, Oral History Review *
[P]ersistently thoughtful and subtly argued....This is a fascinating book precisely because it gives no simple answers. Instead, it shows the power of oral history in undermining a stereotyped historical past. Above all, through conveying a whole range of contrasting memories it undermines the stereotypes of grand history, and helps us to see the complexity of individual life experience in each successive generation. * Paul Thompson, Oral History Review *
Miroslav Vanek and Pavel Mucke ... have done something remarkable ... Velvet Revolutions: An Oral History of Czech Society is seminal. It is the first work of its kind, and hopefully Vanek and Mucke have begun a tradition of recording Czech oral history so that other works will reach an English-speaking audience. For any researcher of Czech culture, Slovak culture, or communism, this book must find its way into his or her collection. The narratives and insights are indispensable, and the book will become foundational literature for students of Czechoslovak communism from the Prague Spring to the Velvet Revolution. * Benjamin Sorensen, International Social Science Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199342723
Author Miroslav Vanek
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 157mm * 236mm * 28mm