Perversion of Knowledge: The True Story of Soviet Science

Vadim Birstein has captured the sad and evil essence of Soviet Science. I always was mystified why theoretical science and math were so advanced in the former Soviet Union while APPLIED science/math and engineering failed so miserably. This book explains the reasons why.The other revelation is that experimentation on political prisoners was commonplace in the former Soviet dictatorship. I guess Nazi Josef Mengele had his communist counterparts in Russia.But throughout this madness I was shocked to find violent anti-Semitism running rampant throughout the State Organs, which controlled all science, engineering and medicine in Russia. It turns out that Hitler and Stalin had more in common than even I had ever suspected! Required reading for those concerned about big government influence on scientific and medical research.

This may be one of the best-documented historical studies of life for science professionals in the former Soviet Union. Sadly, it is sickening! I frankly came away with the feeling that there is very little demonstrable difference between fascism and communism at this level. It also answered a question that had always haunted me: why was Soviet theoretical science so advanced while the practical application of that science and engineering failed so miserably under communism in Russia? This book answers that question.I think anyone who is concerned about the relationship between scientists and government should read this excellent work by Vadim J. Birstein. One shocker for me: I had no idea that such violent anti-Semitism existed at so many levels in the former Soviet Union. Hitler and Stalin had a lot more in common than even I could have guessed! (...)