The forgotten botanists who resisted the Nazis
A remarkable tale of sacrifice in the name of science
For nearly 900 days in 1941-44, Nazi forces blockaded Leningrad, modern-day St Petersburg, trying to starve the city into submission. When food ran out, people ate cotton husks, leather belts and even their pets. Reports of cannibalism spread. Nearly a third of the population—some 750,000 civilians—died.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Seeds of change”
Culture December 7th 2024
From the December 7th 2024 edition
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Does great literature translate into great television?
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