Soviet Metro Stations

An excellent photographic summary of 'hidden' communist architecture. Inspiring examples of how many times a wheel can be reinvented - the 'wheel' being a platform with 2 adjacent railway lines. An ultimate visual tribute to some great designers and the skill of The Workers. Perhaps a bigger format would have been a better feast for the eye but then, a smaller audience would appreciate these gems.

I mainly like the idea and with absolute amazement that Russia granted permission for their underground platforms to get photographed at all. Still, it is a privilege to see them in whatever form. All made in earlier times so with no frills.

There are some beautifully stunning pictures in here. It’s a fantastic coffee table book.

Excellent book - fantastic pictures

Very good for its price. Good and numerous photos and a bit of text in the concise but helpful introduction articles. Most informative, and a good overview of the system and this unique conception of public architecture, most important for the regime, which wanted the public to see these stations as we see cathedrals and churches. It displays stations in many cities across the ex USSR (everyone knows about the Moscow Metro, but not so about the Tashkent and Erevan one), and a good representation of the various periods and styles of construction (although personally, I would have preferred to have more examples of the grand neo-baroque older ones in central Moscow).The A5 landscape format helps for these views, and does the job, although, in some few cases, an A4 landscape would have allowed do see details better (but A5 is the chosen format of the collection so they could not change it for this).The quality of the photos is good and the colour and lighting thereof captures the unique atmosphere very well, as these metro stations were often lit in a very dramatic and impressive way.The only caveat I might have is that these stations were very often built, due to the regime's constant and purposefully fuelled obsession about an attack from the West, as nuclear shelters, and therefore were dug at really impressive depths, which one notices immediately, as one goes down to the platforms, by the strikingly long escalator shafts: this aspect could have been treated, and a few photos of these most impressive escalators, sometimes also well decorated, would have given an idea of this aspect. Sadly, this is missing.Well worth it at current price.

Great photos!

In this skilfully photographed and produced book Herwig showcases the results of his extensive exploration across the former USSR, documenting the uniquely individual architecture of every metro network. • In spite of centrally devised, socialist masterplans there is a striking variety of styles to be marvelled at here, ranging from marbled grandeur to Brutalist as well as Futurist ideals. • These ‘palaces of the people’ have rarely been documented so comprehensively. Their idealistic murals and heroic iconography are all the more eye-catching as Herwig’s captures are free from disfiguring recent clutter and alterations, offering a marvellous journey through pre-1989. • This book is augmented with a highly insightful 25-page essay on the history, politics, and architecture of these networks by author & journalist Owen Hatherley. • This is a must-see record for underground enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone intrigued by Soviet history. [originally reviewed on Facebook/MaltaUnderground]

Great little book, another winner from Fuel Publishing. Just a shame it’s not bigger.

It's just perfect. A masterpiece

Comprei de presente para o meu pai que adorou o livro. Apesar do tamanho um pouco menor do que eu gostaria para um libro de fotos, a qualidade das imagens, encadernação e capas é muito boa. O livro apresenta fotos e informações sobre estacões de metrô na Russia e um pouco da história.

NUNCA ME LLEGO EL PAQUETE

This is a brilliant book, giving a great range of images across the complete Soviet Metro system. The photographer Christopher Herwig travelled to 15 different Metro systems of the former USSR (there are some amazing eastern ones, like Tashkent and Baku). He manages to capture the lavish pomp (Moscow) and the stark utilitarianism (Nizhny Novgorod) occasionally surfacing for a dramatic architectural exterior. There are also lovely details such as the individual letterforms of station names, light fixtures, sculptures, etc. An extensive introduction by Owen Hatherley details the history of the Soviet Metro, making this a comprehensive overview.I was given my copy by a friend and have since bought two more copies here. It makes a unique present!

eine schöne Fortsetzung der Reihe "Soviet Bus Station". Ich bin ein Fan!