{"product_id":"velvet-revolutions-an-oral-history-of-czech-society-9780197546277","title":"Velvet Revolutions: An Oral History of Czech Society","description":"The Velvet Revolution in November 1989 brought about the collapse of the authoritarian communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia, marking the beginning of the country's journey towards democracy. Though members of the elite have spoken about the transition to democracy, the experiences of ordinary people have largely gone untold. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eVelvet Revolutions\u003c\/em\u003e, Miroslav Vanek and Pavel Mücke examine the values of everyday citizens who lived under so-called real socialism, as well as how their values changed after the 1989 collapse. Based on 300 interviews, Vanek and Mücke give voice to everyone from farmers to managers, service workers to marketing personnel, manual laborers to members of the armed forces. Compelling and diverse, the oral histories touch upon the experience - and absence - of freedom, the value of family and friends, the experience of free time, and perceptions of foreign nations. Data from opinion polls conducted between 1970 and 2013 factor into the book's analysis, creating a well-rounded view of the ways in which popular thoughts, trends, and attitudes changed as Czech society transitioned from communism to democracy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom this rich foundation, \u003cem\u003eVelvet Revolutions\u003c\/em\u003e builds a multi-layered view of Czech history before 1989 and during the subsequent period of democratic transformation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMiroslav Vanek\u003c\/strong\u003e is Director of the Department of Oral History and Contemporary History at Charles University in Prague and President of the International Oral History Assocation. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePavel M?cke\u003c\/strong\u003e is Lecturer of Oral History and Contemporary History at Charles University in Prague.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50860671893778,"sku":"9780197546277","price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_07c204e9-3152-4ee2-9ad7-06ab470c43e2.jpg?v=1737581125","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/velvet-revolutions-an-oral-history-of-czech-society-9780197546277","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}