A new book by renowned historian Natalia Lebina consists of research studies describing, at both the micro and macro levels, all aspects of the everyday life of the Soviet citizen: from nutrition to entertainment, from clothing choices to intimacy, from marriage to funeral rites. The book's leitmotif is the specific development of the civilization-wide process of modernization under Soviet conditions. Lebina writes not only as a researcher but also as a witness to the era: episodes from her family history serve as examples of typical situations faced by ordinary Soviet citizens.