Filling an important gap in a neglected area of Russian history, namely the 1880s and early 1890s, this volume, originally published in 1987, examines the labour movement from the perspective of the politicized workers themselves. It examines not only their attitudes toward student intellectuals but also toward the rank and file workers, as well as themselves. These attitudes are essential to understand the extent and the focus of the 'workers intelligentsia's' political and cultural activities. The period the book focusses on was one of relative labour calm whilst at the same time being a period of rapid industrial development. St. Petersburg was chosen because it was the largest city and also the locale of Russia's most technologically advanced industries.
