This book deals with the language of 14 non-Russian republics, examining how their speakers struggle to maintain those languages as an integral part of their cultures. There are 19 chapters in five parts. After (1) "On Language," part 1, "The Western Borderlands," includes: (2) "Ukraine: The Little Russians"; (3) "Belarus: The White Russians"; and (4) "Moldova: The Soviet Union's Romance Language." Part 2, "The Baltic States," includes: (5) "Estonia: A Touch of Scandinavia"; (6) "Latvia: Between Germany and Russia"; and (7) "Lithuania: The Spinning Wheel." Part 3, "The Caucasus," includes: (8) "Azerbaijan: Between Turkey and Iran"; (9) "Armenia: Ancient People, Ancient Language"; and (10) "Georgia: The Birthplace to Rustaveli and Stalin." Part 4, "Central Asia," includes: (11)"Uzbekistan: The Cultural Leaders of Central Asia?"; (12) "Kazakhstan: The Nomadic Herders"; (13) "Kyrgyzstan: The Forty Tribes"; (14) "Turkmenistan: 'I am Turk'"; and (15) "Tajikistan: The Persian-Speaking People of Central Asia." Part 5, "Other Nationalities," includes: (16) "The Crimean Tatars: A People Charged with Collective Treason"; (17) "The Volga Tatars: The Cultural Leaders of Russia's Moslems"; (18) "The Jews: Nationality without a Republic"; and (19) "Reflections." Statistical charts and alphabets are appended. (Contains approximately 190 bibliographic references.) (SM)