In the Jaws of the Crocodile: A Soviet Memoir

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Emil Draitser's memoir delves into the life of a satirist navigating the restrictive landscape of Soviet culture during the Brezhnev era. Born into a working-class Jewish family, he transitioned from engineering to writing, finding his voice in the Party-sponsored magazine Crocodile. His sharp critiques of the regime led to a pivotal decision about emigration. This work not only reflects on the challenges of freedom of expression but also features several of Draitser's witty pieces, now available in English, showcasing the resilience of artists under oppressive circumstances.