Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Tricia Starks, "Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia" (Cornell UP, 2018)
Tricia Starks, "Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia" (Cornell UP, 2018)
Tricia Starks, "Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia" (Cornell UP, 2018)
Monday 22nd July 2019
Dive into the history of tobacco in Imperial Russia with Tricia Starks on New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery.
59 minutes
Informative
Thought-provoking
Engaging
Educational
Raw
About this podcast
Author:
Marshall Poe
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Family Recovery from Addiction
Relationships & Community
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
238 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Tobacco Tales: Unraveling Russia's Smoking Past with Tricia Starks
If people are writing about it, then there must be hopefully an audience for it.
Imagine a time when tobacco was more than just a habit—it was a symbol of politics, gender roles, and even rebellion. In this episode, Tricia Starks, a Professor of History at the University of Arkansas, dives deep into her book, 'Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia'. Starks paints a vivid picture of how tobacco shaped life in 19th-century Russia, from the gritty makhorka cigarettes to the elegant papirosy smoked by the elite.
She explores how tobacco wasn't just a product but a cultural phenomenon that influenced everything from literature to public health. Ever wondered why Russia became such a smoking nation? Starks traces the roots back to the early adoption of tobacco in the country, which was unique in its harshness compared to the milder Virginia blends.
The story gets even more intriguing with the role women played—they weren’t just consumers but also powerful figures in the tobacco industry, running massive factories and shaping the market. But it’s not all about business. Starks delves into how tobacco intersected with radical politics and social norms. Did you know that Tolstoy, despite his anti-tobacco writings, was a smoker himself? The contradictions don’t stop there.
Tobacco was seen as both a pacifier and a gateway to criminal activity, reflecting the complex social fabric of the time. Public health also comes under the spotlight. Starks discusses how tobacco affected workers' health and spurred early anti-tobacco movements. The episode is peppered with fascinating tidbits like full-color ads from the era, making it not just informative but visually engaging too.
Whether you're a history buff or someone curious about the cultural impact of tobacco, this episode offers a rich tapestry of insights. Tune in to discover how tobacco left its mark on Imperial Russia in ways you might never have imagined.