russia

The detailed and collaborative work of Rett Ertl and Rick Hibberd, The Art Of The Russian Matryoshka is a unique and distinctive artbook devoted to the classic Russian toy consisting of dolls that fit inside one another. 330 full-color photographs illustrate and showcase rare and vintage matryoshka, while the narrative text covers the history of this device as well as the steps of its creation today. The Art Of The Russian Matryoshka is especially recommended for toy collectors and a welcome contribution Russian Cultural Studies collections.

This magnificently designed volume captures the heart of Mother Russia -- and captured my heart as well. Beautifully photographed and written in a lively, readable style. The dolls speak wisely about the history of this great, sad land, and I learned a lot about Russia. It's the perfect gift for anyone interested in Russia or, more broadly, in dolls and how they reflect their times.

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening

When I travel, I make it a habit to purchase one exquisite keepsake book that, when I get home, I use not only to reminisce but also to stow away articles I find in newspapers and periodicals on the history and culture of that country.

When I returned from a summer semester at Herzen University in St. Petersburg, I had not come across a book that I thought was perfect for my needs. I found "The Art of the Russian Matryoshka" by Rett Ertl and Rick Hibberd right here at home and am as happy as, well, the tiniest of nesting dolls.

This book, although it covers only one narrow aspect of what comes "out of Russia," it neverthless has Russia's sessential qualties. The craft itself is so intrinsically Russian but it isn't just that. It's the quality of the pictures and the historical landscape they represent. For, you see, Matryoshkas are necessarily reminiscent of the moment. The classic sets reflect their time; the ones I saw in Russia reflect ours. I even saw one set of Harry Potter nesting dolls. Isn't it true that countries are more closely bound then ever before? We affect one another's language, culture, even politics.

So, readers and travelers and those interested in Russia, this isn't really a book about collecting or about a craft. It's a book about Russia, as sure and sturdy as the traditional babushked doll staring at you from the cover.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson's books,stories and poems explore cultures and how they affect the human condition. Many are about Russia, the polictics, the land, the sky.