<DIV><i>Engineers of the Soul</i> tells the story of two journeys--one literal, one imaginary--through contemporary Russia and through Soviet-era literature. Frank Westerman draws the reader into the euphoria of the Russian Revolution, as art and reality were bent to radically new purposes.<br><br>Writers of renown, described by Stalin as ³engineers of the soul, .² were encouraged to sing the praises of canal and dam construction under titles such as <i>Energy and The Hydraulic Power Station</i>. However, their enthusiasm--spontaneous and idealistic at first--soon became an obligatory song of praise as the massive waterworks led to slavery.<br><br> Combining investigative journalism with literary history, Westerman examines the books and lives of writers caught in the wheels of the system.<BR><BR></DIV>