Popular Science Literature in Saratov Province in 1918-1928: Subject Matter, Publishers, Authors

This article provides significant addition related to the history of book publishing in the Saratov province in 1918–1928. According to the study, the number of books and brochures published in Saratov province from 1918 to 1928 was at least 2294. Among them, there were popular science books. However, their role and significance in the regional book publishing of the first Soviet decade have not received adequate coverage to date. Therefore, it seems important not only to establish quantitative indicators of output, but also to identify the factors that determined the appearance of this type of books, their subject matter, dynamics, features, analyze the book repertoire, the composition of authors and publishers. The study identified 173 titles of popular science literature published in the region in 1918–1928 by three dozen publishing houses and publishing organizations. Among the above-mentioned publishing organizations were scientific institutes and organizations, as well as cooperative, state and even private enterprises. The authors included many well-known scientists and practitioners in the province, university professors. Reacting to the problems of the region, they tried to provide information on modernization of agriculture in the arid Volga region; countering epidemics and diseases that threatened the province in the 1920s; strengthening women’s health; civil defense, on the development of a new metric system of measures, etc. A number of authors and publishing organizations stimulated the interest of the local community in technical creativity and promoted general science, local history and other education-related spheres. The highest rise in the output of popular science literature, recorded in 1924–1926, was largely associated with the activities of the Moscow publishing house Novaya Derevnya. It was placed in the province for printing books and brochures created by both Saratov and metropolitan authors under the conditions of the NEP (New Economic Policy).