Barbara DeKovner-Mayer papers, 1971-2016

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Summary

Creators:
DeKovner-Mayer, Barbara, 1935-
Abstract:
The Barbara DeKovner-Mayer collection consists of correspondence, printed matter, and photographs relating to an American-Russian person-to-person correspondence and assistance program organized in the United States in 1990 as Friends Assisting Friends.
Extent:
71 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box, 2 phonorecords (24.2 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English and Russian
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Barbara DeKovner-Mayer papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of Barbara DeKovner-Mayer, American journalist and writer. Of particular interest is her correspondence with Russians, who was able to comment on historical events as participants, as well as the records of the Friends Assisting Friends, the organization that she founded.They document DeKovner-Mayer's contributions to the cause of peer-to-peer diplomacy and US-Soviet relations during and after the Perestroika period and the collapse of the USSR. Among her writings, the most significant piece is the novel Shattered Silence: Feelings from Former Soviets Struggling With Freedom at Home. The novel itself is based in part on her own experience while traveling to Russia. Other elements of the collection include the Anatolii Pavlovich Shvedchikov papers, Russian poet and translator, who accompanied Barbara DeKovner-Mayer on her efforts to set up an assistance program.

Biographical / historical:

Barabra DeKovner-Mayer is an American writer; founder and president, Friends Assisting Friends. Author: Shattered Silence: Feelings from Former Soviets Struggling With Freedom at Home This book describes the hopes, hardships and happenings of former Soviets based on the voluminous correspondence and recent visits of the author. The book is a remarkable chronicle of the changes that have occurred in Russia and her neighbours during the last decade. Contains over 60 vignettes filled with hundreds of stories -- illustrated with photographs, cartoons and drawings done by former Soviets themselves.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1992.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Barbara DeKovner-Mayer papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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