Book "Private economic activity in the Soviet economy in 1945 - 1960 . (on materials from Western Siberia)”, created by the team of authors, is a unique study that immerses the reader in the complex and multifaceted world of the post-war economy of the Soviet Union. This paper discusses aspects of private management, which, despite the dominance of the state economy, played an important role in the lives of people and the development of regions. This book will be of interest both to specialists in the field of economics and history, and to a wide range of readers interested in the social and economic processes that took place in the USSR. Students, graduate students and teachers, as well as everyone who is fond of the history of their region, will find in it a lot of useful information and new facts. It can also attract the attention of researchers dealing with private entrepreneurship and its impact on economic development. The key themes of the book are private initiative, self-employment and micro-entrepreneurship in the Soviet economy. The authors analyze how, in conditions of strict control by the state, people found ways to improve their financial situation, creating small farms, engaged in crafts and rural labor. This study reveals not only the economic, but also the social aspects of people’s lives, their desire for independence and self-realization. The style of the authors is characterized by deep analyticalness and attention to detail. They not only present facts and figures, but also create vivid images, allowing the reader to feel the atmosphere of time. The book uses rich archival materials, which gives it special value. The authors strive not only for objectivity, but also for emotional response, which makes reading fascinating and informative. The book also raises important questions about how private initiative could evolve under constraints, and what lessons can be learned from this experience for modernity. It examines examples of successful private households, their impact on local communities and the economy as a whole, as well as the difficulties faced by people seeking independence under a totalitarian system. Readers interested in the history of entrepreneurship, economic history, as well as sociology and culture of the Soviet period, will find in this book many interesting facts and deep reflections. It can be a great addition to the library of anyone who seeks to understand how private initiatives shaped economic reality in a socialist system. In conclusion, "Private economic activity in the Soviet economy in 1945-1960 . (on materials from Western Siberia)” is not just a historical study, but a real find for those who want to better understand the complex mechanisms that governed people’s lives in the post-war period. The book opens new horizons for thinking about private initiative in the face of limitations and how history can help us better understand modernity.