For those of us limited to English language materials, and who are truly interested in Mensk and the architecture, history, and people of Mensk and Belarus, this is one of the best (if modestly produced) guidebooks, and contains a treasture trove of information.
A very interesting and important resource about Mensk, but due to what I assume was a limited production budget, the book badly needs an index and better organization, maps, more pictures, shorter sentences, etc.
For those visiting Mensk, the six walking tours in the chapter, "Some Places of Interest" (page 73 ff.), are well worth the trouble of locating this book. These walking tours are excellent resources about the architecture of Mensk (probably more information than most of us want to know or can even digest), as well as more general descriptions about the parks, statues, and general history of both Mensk and Belarus, and of the people who made the history.
Although a good starting point, the "Professional and Commercial Directory" section of the book is the part that ages most quickly (due to the rapidly changing--deterioriating (?)--business climate in Belarus).
Available in Mensk, Belarus, 1997, from Technalohija Publishers, and possibly from used book dealers in Mensk. Also follow the previous link for other books about Belarus available from Technalohija Publishers.
Minsk: Ha Stariikh Pashtowkakh, compiled by and author of text, Tzelesh, V. M.; Mensk; Belarus' Publishers, 1984; 128 pages; no ISBN; Print Run: 26,500.
Subtitled: Kanetz XIX - Pachatakh XX st.
Title in English: Mensk: In Old Postcards (at the end of the 19th century - beginning of the 20th century)
In Belarusian Narkomovka throughout, with text repeated in Russian at end of book.
A very interesting collection of black and white pictures. Many of the postcards have a detail enlarged on the facing ("verso") page.
Minsk: Staronki Zhitztzya Darevalytzinaha Horada, by Shibeka, Z. V., & S. F. Shibeka; Mensk; Polimya Publishers, 1994; 344 pages; ISBN: 5-345-00613-X; Print Run: 15,000.
Originally published in the Russian language in 1990. ISBN: 5-345-00131-6; Print Run: 13,000.
Title in English: Mensk: Pages in the Life of the City Before the Revolution
Both editions include a two-side map insert, depicting the city in 1898.
Extensive use of the national archives and the Belarusian State Museum of History and Culture.
Interesting to note that the editor was Z. S. Pazniak.
The Jews of Moscow, Kiev and Minsk: Identity, Antisemitism, Emigration. by Brym, Robert J. with Ryvkina, Rozalina. Washington Square, NY: New York UP. 1994. Hardcover, 14.5 cm x 22.25 cm. 141 pp.
Results of a survey given to Jews in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus on life and politics in a time of upheaval.
Available from various sources, including, http://www.abebooks.com/ (a book "meta" search site, not a bookseller).
Minsk Ghetto, by Hersh Smolar; Max Rosenfeld (Translator); Publisher: US Holocaust Library; January, 1989. 175 pages; ISBN 0-896-04068-2 (hardcover). Call Number: DS135.R93 M5913 1989.
Translation of Fun Minsoker geoto; personal narrative.
Kurapaty is the site of the Soviet massacre of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians between 1937-1941.
Kurapaty had been a village on the outskirts of Mensk at the time preceding World War II (aka, "The Great Patriotic War"), but is now a historical area on the outskirts of Mensk (just to the north of the ring road).