Mothers of Misery

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The book delves into the establishment and operation of the central foundling homes in Moscow and St. Petersburg during the 18th and 19th centuries, focusing on their role in addressing abandonment and infanticide. It highlights the homes' function as social laboratories aimed at educating artisans while managing a significant number of children in rural areas. David Ransel examines the interaction between urban and rural societies, providing a detailed historical analysis of these institutions and their broader impact on Russian society over a span of 150 years.