Overview

This monograph provides a concise introduction to the tangled issues of communication between Russian and Western scientists during the Cold War. It details the extent to which mid-twentieth-century researchers and practitioners were able to communicate with their counterparts on the opposite side of the Iron Curtain. Drawing upon evidence from a range of disciplines, a decade-by-decade account is first given of the varying levels of contact that existed via private correspondence and conference attendance. Next, the book examines the exchange of publications and the availability of one side's work in the libraries of the other. It then goes on to compare general language abilities on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, with comments on efforts in the West to learn Russian and the systematic translation of Russian work. In the end, author Christopher Hollings argues that physical accessibility was generally good in both directions, but that Western scientists were afflicted by greater linguistic difficulties than their Soviet counterparts whose major problems were bureaucratic in nature. This volume will be of interest to historians of Cold War science, particularly those who study communications and language issues. In addition, it will be an ideal starting pointing for anyone looking to know more about this fascinating area.

Full Product Details

9783319253442

Table of Contents

Reviews

Christopher D. Hollings is a laudable exception in aiming at a presentation of a balanced view of scientific communication during the Cold War Era and thus bringing new sources of inspiration to the ongoing discussion. ... Scientific Communication Across the Iron Curtain is written with meticulous attention to details characteristic of the author's original field of expertise, mathematics. (Doubravka Olsakova, Jahrbucher fur Geschichte Osteuropas. jgo.e-reviews, Vol. 66 (3), 2018)

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available