The Price of the Arctic

Abstract

This review explores the relevance of environmental and historical environmental research in Russia, focusing on Andy Bruno’s The Nature of Soviet Power. An Arctic Environmental History as a complex study of environmental changes in the Kola Peninsula, and, more particularly, of such projects as the construction of a railway, the mining and enrichment of apatite, the smelting of nickel and copper, the construction and operation of thermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear power plants, etc. While stating that the book contains a great many facts, the reviewer emphasises that what is more important about this research is its analytical approach, generalisations, and a hypothesis that regards nature as an active participant in the Soviet project. The book consists of several essays about Arctic nature management which provide a detailed description of the development and practical application of the idea of the conquest of nature, crucial for the Soviet era and still topical today.