Mothers of Misery

Discover the compelling narrative of "Mothers of Misery" by David L. Ransel, a profound exploration of the social conditions surrounding abandoned children in 19th-century Russia. Published in 2016, this insightful book spans 346 pages and delves into the operations of the central foundling home in Moscow, which, at its peak, received an astonishing 17,000 children annually. Ransel sheds light on the fate of these vulnerable children, many of whom were sent to wet nurses and foster homes in the countryside, resulting in the supervision of over 40,000 children across Moscow province and its neighboring areas at any given time. This eye-opening account not only highlights the struggles of foundlings but also examines the broader implications of foster care and social welfare in a historical context. A must-read for anyone interested in social history, child welfare, and the complexities of human compassion.