An Introduction to the Russian Mennonites

Invited by Catherine the Great to farm the Russian steppes - in exchange for exemption from military service - Mennonite emigrants from Polish Prussia and the Netherlands made their home in Russia. Some remain today; many more eventually left for North and South Americas and Europe. Nearly all retain memories and stories from that place - unbelievable prosperity for some; unspeakable terror for many; church tensions; struggles between the landed and the landless; exquisite clockmaking, storytelling, music-making, and food. Kroeker tells it all with vibrancy - the overview and the memorable details. Includes dozens of historic and contemporary photographs.