Since 1993, the Summer Author Series has brought award-winning biographers to The Mount. This year’s Series explores lives and ideas that have challenged convention. From unsung heroes to innovators, these talks invite us to reflect on how acts of courage—large and small—have challenged assumptions and expanded our collective imagination.
A NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
In Motherland, acclaimed journalist Julia Ioffe tells the story of modern Russia through the lives of its women. Blending memoir, reportage, and history, Ioffe traces Russia’s turbulent journey—from revolution to utopia to autocracy—through the interwoven biographies of feminist revolutionaries, political wives, Soviet women soldiers, and contemporary dissidents. With clarity, urgency, and empathy, she reveals how one of the twentieth century’s most audacious social experiments that promised women liberation, failed them profoundly, giving shape to the Russia of today.
The Mount wishes to thank Barbara J. Cooperman for supporting this program.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION:
- This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Event Tent, an open-air, 400-seat tent adjacent to the parking lot. Please be mindful of the weather and plan accordingly.
- In the event of extreme weather, such as excessive heat or severe thunderstorms, this program may be moved indoors to The Mount’s Stable Auditorium, which has a limited capacity. All ticket holders will be notified by email at least two hours before the scheduled start time if a venue change is necessary. General admission tickets are valid for outdoor events only. If the program is moved indoors, General Admission tickets will be automatically canceled, and a full refund will be issued.
- If you have concerns about the weather, we recommend selecting the Rain or Shine Ticket option (a $5 add-on) at the time of purchase. Rain or Shine Tickets guarantee admission, whether the program takes place outdoors or is moved indoors.
- Seating for all programs at The Mount is first-come, first-served. If you have seating preferences, we recommend arriving fifteen minutes early.
- Accessible seating is available. To discuss arrangements, please contact us by phone: 413-551-5111 x5; or email: programs@edithwharton.org. For more information about accessibility, review The Mount’s accessibility webpage.
- A book signing will follow this talk. Books can be purchased at the event from The Mount Gift & Bookstore or in advance via Bookshop.org
- Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org; or phone: 413-551-5111 x2
Join the Rain or Shine Club—your all-access pass to summer’s most inspiring stories!
This exclusive season pass guarantees your seat at our eight-week Summer Author Series. Whether beneath the tent on a golden afternoon or indoors in the Stable, your place is always reserved. Information & Register >>
Julia Ioffe is a Russian-born American journalist. Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the New Yorker, Foreign Policy, Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, The New Republic, Politico, and the Atlantic. Ioffe has appeared on television programs on MSNBC, CBS, PBS, and other news channels as a Russia expert. She is a founding partner and Washington correspondent at Puck. A National Book Award Finalist, Motherland was published in October 2025. Photo: Max Avdeev
