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Russia and the Russians
by Geoffrey Hosking • 2001
Russia built an empire but never lasting institutions. Geography made autocracy feel like survival.
3.97
604
Russia and the Russians Summary
Russia and the Russians 96%
Russia built an empire but never lasting institutions. Geography made autocracy feel like survival.
by Geoffrey Hosking 2001
3.97
604 ratings
Always With Honour
by Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel • 1963
The White Army's last commander: rebuilding in Crimea, one final campaign, and exodus by sea.
4.47
614
Always With Honour Summary
Always With Honour 95%
The White Army's last commander: rebuilding in Crimea, one final campaign, and exodus by sea.
by Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel 1963
4.47
614 ratings
Lenin
by Robert Service • 2000
How a bookish, emotionally stunted provincial became the ruthless architect of the Soviet state.
3.84
2k+
Lenin Summary
Lenin 94%
How a bookish, emotionally stunted provincial became the ruthless architect of the Soviet state.
by Robert Service 2000
3.84
2k+ ratings
Kremlin Rising
by Peter Baker • 2005
Putin didn't seize Russia. Russians handed it to him, desperate for order after a decade of chaos.
3.90
332
Kremlin Rising Summary
Kremlin Rising 93%
Putin didn't seize Russia. Russians handed it to him, desperate for order after a decade of chaos.
by Peter Baker 2005
3.90
332 ratings
The Revolution Betrayed
by Leon Trotsky • 1937
Not socialism, not capitalism. Trotsky charts the third system the Russian Revolution produced.
4.09
2k+
The Revolution Betrayed Summary
The Revolution Betrayed 93%
Not socialism, not capitalism. Trotsky charts the third system the Russian Revolution produced.
by Leon Trotsky 1937
4.09
2k+ ratings
Socialism Betrayed
by Roger Keeran • 2004
The Soviet collapse wasn't inevitable: a pro-market faction inside the Party dismantled it.
4.37
545
Socialism Betrayed Summary
Socialism Betrayed 93%
The Soviet collapse wasn't inevitable: a pro-market faction inside the Party dismantled it.
by Roger Keeran 2004
4.37
545 ratings
Rasputin and the Fall of the Romanovs
by Colin Wilson • 1964
The mad monk wasn't a fraud: his powers were real, and they brought down a dynasty.
3.41
234
Rasputin and the Fall of the Romanovs Summary
Rasputin and the Fall of the Romanovs 93%
The mad monk wasn't a fraud: his powers were real, and they brought down a dynasty.
by Colin Wilson 1964
3.41
234 ratings
Secondhand Time
by Svetlana Alexievich • 2013
A civilization vanished with the USSR, leaving millions unprepared for the freedom they craved.
4.46
22k+
Secondhand Time Summary
Secondhand Time 93%
A civilization vanished with the USSR, leaving millions unprepared for the freedom they craved.
by Svetlana Alexievich 2013
4.46
22k+ ratings
Russian History
by Geoffrey Hosking • 2012
Constant invasions, one Russian answer: centralize power. The pattern from the Mongols to Putin.
3.64
769
Russian History Summary
Russian History 93%
Constant invasions, one Russian answer: centralize power. The pattern from the Mongols to Putin.
by Geoffrey Hosking 2012
3.64
769 ratings
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1975
After 1848, capitalism conquered the globe. Railways, gold, and free trade were its weapons.
4.27
5k+
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875 Summary
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875 93%
After 1848, capitalism conquered the globe. Railways, gold, and free trade were its weapons.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1975
4.27
5k+ ratings
The Foundations of Leninism
by Joseph Stalin • 1924
The manual Lenin left behind: why imperialist decay demands a new kind of revolutionary party.
4.05
2k+
The Foundations of Leninism Summary
The Foundations of Leninism 93%
The manual Lenin left behind: why imperialist decay demands a new kind of revolutionary party.
by Joseph Stalin 1924
4.05
2k+ ratings
Collapse
by Vladislav M. Zubok • 2021
Gorbachev's reforms were meant to save the USSR. Instead, they blew it apart.
4.25
2k+
Collapse Summary
Collapse 92%
Gorbachev's reforms were meant to save the USSR. Instead, they blew it apart.
by Vladislav M. Zubok 2021
4.25
2k+ ratings
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 1973
A secret network of camps swallowed millions on quotas, using bodies until nothing remained.
4.33
35k+
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 Summary
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 92%
A secret network of camps swallowed millions on quotas, using bodies until nothing remained.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1973
4.33
35k+ ratings
The Return of the Russian Leviathan
by Sergei Medvedev • 2017
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
4.06
337
The Return of the Russian Leviathan Summary
The Return of the Russian Leviathan 92%
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
by Sergei Medvedev 2017
4.06
337 ratings
The Invention of Russia
by Arkady Ostrovsky • 2015
Television became the new Kremlin: how post-Soviet Russia was built on air, not on law.
4.01
2k+
The Invention of Russia Summary
The Invention of Russia 92%
Television became the new Kremlin: how post-Soviet Russia was built on air, not on law.
by Arkady Ostrovsky 2015
4.01
2k+ ratings
The Gun
by C.J. Chivers • 2010
Designed by a Soviet committee to crush uprisings, the AK-47 armed global terror.
3.95
3k+
The Gun Summary
The Gun 92%
Designed by a Soviet committee to crush uprisings, the AK-47 armed global terror.
by C.J. Chivers 2010
3.95
3k+ ratings
Black Garden
by Thomas de Waal • 2003
One Soviet province started an ethnic war in 1988 by voting to secede. The stalemate remains.
4.25
835
Black Garden Summary
Black Garden 92%
One Soviet province started an ethnic war in 1988 by voting to secede. The stalemate remains.
by Thomas de Waal 2003
4.25
835 ratings
The Sword and the Shield
by Christopher Andrew • 1985
One KGB archivist smuggled out the foreign intelligence files, rewriting Cold War history.
3.93
2k+
The Sword and the Shield Summary
The Sword and the Shield 92%
One KGB archivist smuggled out the foreign intelligence files, rewriting Cold War history.
by Christopher Andrew 1985
3.93
2k+ ratings
What Is to Be Done?
by Vladimir Lenin • 1902
Workers alone only win wage fights. A secret vanguard must bring revolutionary thought from outside.
4.11
6k+
What Is to Be Done? Summary
What Is to Be Done? 92%
Workers alone only win wage fights. A secret vanguard must bring revolutionary thought from outside.
by Vladimir Lenin 1902
4.11
6k+ ratings
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes
by Heyward Isham • 2019
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes Summary
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes 92%
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
by Heyward Isham 2019
Unhumans
by Jack Posobiec • 2024
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
3.99
1k+
Unhumans Summary
Unhumans 92%
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
by Jack Posobiec 2024
3.99
1k+ ratings
España partida en dos
by Julián Casanova • 2013
A coup meant to topple Spain's Republic failed. What followed was decided by Hitler and Mussolini.
4.16
249
España partida en dos Summary
España partida en dos 92%
A coup meant to topple Spain's Republic failed. What followed was decided by Hitler and Mussolini.
by Julián Casanova 2013
4.16
249 ratings
Modern Times
by Paul Johnson • 1983
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
4.29
3k+
Modern Times Summary
Modern Times 92%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ ratings
The Road to Unfreedom
by Timothy Snyder • 2018
The 2016 election was the target of a Russian authoritarian project decades in the making.
4.37
11k+
The Road to Unfreedom Summary
The Road to Unfreedom 92%
The 2016 election was the target of a Russian authoritarian project decades in the making.
by Timothy Snyder 2018
4.37
11k+ ratings
Winter Is Coming
by Garry Kasparov • 2015
Western money and misplaced goodwill built Putin's war machine: a warning from the front lines.
4.04
4k+
Winter Is Coming Summary
Winter Is Coming 92%
Western money and misplaced goodwill built Putin's war machine: a warning from the front lines.
by Garry Kasparov 2015
4.04
4k+ ratings
Motherland
by Julia Ioffe • 2025
How Russian autocracy was built on women's bodies and labor, from Bolshevik liberation to Putin.
4.53
3k+
Motherland Summary
Motherland 92%
How Russian autocracy was built on women's bodies and labor, from Bolshevik liberation to Putin.
by Julia Ioffe 2025
4.53
3k+ ratings
Putinism
by Walter Laqueur • 2015
Oil wealth, Orthodox faith, and a KGB veteran filled the vacuum the Soviet Union left behind.
3.32
260
Putinism Summary
Putinism 91%
Oil wealth, Orthodox faith, and a KGB veteran filled the vacuum the Soviet Union left behind.
by Walter Laqueur 2015
3.32
260 ratings
Once Upon a Time in Russia
by Ben Mezrich • 2015
A mathematician, a protege, and a poisoned teacup: the making and unmaking of Russia's oligarchs.
3.86
5k+
Once Upon a Time in Russia Summary
Once Upon a Time in Russia 91%
A mathematician, a protege, and a poisoned teacup: the making and unmaking of Russia's oligarchs.
by Ben Mezrich 2015
3.86
5k+ ratings
The Dark Valley
by Piers Brendon • 2000
The 1930s: a single global story of economic collapse, appeasement, and terror feeding the next war.
4.18
624
The Dark Valley Summary
The Dark Valley 91%
The 1930s: a single global story of economic collapse, appeasement, and terror feeding the next war.
by Piers Brendon 2000
4.18
624 ratings
To End All Wars
by Adam Hochschild • 2011
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
4.14
9k+
To End All Wars Summary
To End All Wars 91%
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
by Adam Hochschild 2011
4.14
9k+ ratings
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War"
by Patrick J. Buchanan • 2008
Britain's empire fell not to war but to a diplomatic blunder that handed the world to its rivals.
4.21
2k+
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War" Summary
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War" 91%
Britain's empire fell not to war but to a diplomatic blunder that handed the world to its rivals.
by Patrick J. Buchanan 2008
4.21
2k+ ratings
Dressed Up for a Riot
by Michael Idov • 2018
a GQ editor's Moscow: protests fill squares, Pussy Riot faces trial, and cheese turns patriotic.
3.62
274
Dressed Up for a Riot Summary
Dressed Up for a Riot 91%
a GQ editor's Moscow: protests fill squares, Pussy Riot faces trial, and cheese turns patriotic.
by Michael Idov 2018
3.62
274 ratings
House of Trump, House of Putin
by Craig Unger • 2018
Trump's condos laundered billions for the Russian mob, tied to Putin through a single crime boss.
4.02
2k+
House of Trump, House of Putin Summary
House of Trump, House of Putin 91%
Trump's condos laundered billions for the Russian mob, tied to Putin through a single crime boss.
by Craig Unger 2018
4.02
2k+ ratings
The Picnic
by Matthew Longo • 2024
August 1989: a picnic on the Hungarian border. The gate opened, and hundreds ran.
4.22
608
The Picnic Summary
The Picnic 91%
August 1989: a picnic on the Hungarian border. The gate opened, and hundreds ran.
by Matthew Longo 2024
4.22
608 ratings
Main Currents Of Marxism
by Leszek Kołakowski • 2005
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
4.25
455
Main Currents Of Marxism Summary
Main Currents Of Marxism 91%
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
by Leszek Kołakowski 2005
4.25
455 ratings
Code Warriors
by Stephen Budiansky • 2016
Math, machines, and moral compromise: the NSA's secret Cold War against the Soviets.
3.72
760
Code Warriors Summary
Code Warriors 91%
Math, machines, and moral compromise: the NSA's secret Cold War against the Soviets.
by Stephen Budiansky 2016
3.72
760 ratings
Arsenals of Folly
by Richard Rhodes • 2007
Two leaders came within one word of eliminating all nuclear weapons, then lost the moment.
3.96
856
Arsenals of Folly Summary
Arsenals of Folly 91%
Two leaders came within one word of eliminating all nuclear weapons, then lost the moment.
by Richard Rhodes 2007
3.96
856 ratings
Contesting Democracy
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2006
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
4.00
159
Contesting Democracy Summary
Contesting Democracy 91%
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2006
4.00
159 ratings
The Berlin Wall
by Frederick Taylor • 2006
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
4.08
2k+
The Berlin Wall Summary
The Berlin Wall 91%
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
by Frederick Taylor 2006
4.08
2k+ ratings
Spin Dictators
by Sergei Guriev • 2022
Modern autocrats rule by deception, not terror. How they fake democracy and hide the violence.
3.94
1k+
Spin Dictators Summary
Spin Dictators 91%
Modern autocrats rule by deception, not terror. How they fake democracy and hide the violence.
by Sergei Guriev 2022
3.94
1k+ ratings
The Trigger
by Tim Butcher • 2014
Everyone knows the assassin who sparked World War I, but almost everything they know is wrong.
3.81
4k+
The Trigger Summary
The Trigger 91%
Everyone knows the assassin who sparked World War I, but almost everything they know is wrong.
by Tim Butcher 2014
3.81
4k+ ratings
The Billion Dollar Spy
by David E. Hoffman • 2015
A Soviet engineer's note gave the CIA billions in secrets; a single betrayal took it all away.
4.23
16k+
The Billion Dollar Spy Summary
The Billion Dollar Spy 91%
A Soviet engineer's note gave the CIA billions in secrets; a single betrayal took it all away.
by David E. Hoffman 2015
4.23
16k+ ratings
Killing Hope
by William Blum • 1995
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
4.27
2k+
Killing Hope Summary
Killing Hope 91%
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
by William Blum 1995
4.27
2k+ ratings
Russian Roulette
by Michael Isikoff • 2018
Putin ordered it, WikiLeaks delivered it, and Trump's team kept taking the meetings.
4.20
7k+
Russian Roulette Summary
Russian Roulette 91%
Putin ordered it, WikiLeaks delivered it, and Trump's team kept taking the meetings.
by Michael Isikoff 2018
4.20
7k+ ratings
How the South Won the Civil War
by Heather Cox Richardson • 2020
Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.
4.31
5k+
How the South Won the Civil War Summary
How the South Won the Civil War 91%
Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.
by Heather Cox Richardson 2020
4.31
5k+ ratings
Homage to Catlonia
by George Orwell • 1938
Orwell fought Fascists in Spain and discovered a revolution being betrayed by its leftist allies.
4.09
72k+
Homage to Catlonia Summary
Homage to Catlonia 91%
Orwell fought Fascists in Spain and discovered a revolution being betrayed by its leftist allies.
by George Orwell 1938
4.09
72k+ ratings
Two Hundred Years Together
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 2001
Solzhenitsyn dissects two centuries of Russian-Jewish coexistence, looking beyond mutual blame.
4.17
181
Two Hundred Years Together Summary
Two Hundred Years Together 90%
Solzhenitsyn dissects two centuries of Russian-Jewish coexistence, looking beyond mutual blame.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 2001
4.17
181 ratings
In the Enemy's House
by Howard Blum • 2018
An FBI agent and a quiet linguist unraveled the Soviet codes that hid the atomic spies.
4.14
2k+
In the Enemy's House Summary
In the Enemy's House 90%
An FBI agent and a quiet linguist unraveled the Soviet codes that hid the atomic spies.
by Howard Blum 2018
4.14
2k+ ratings
My Fellow Soldiers
by Andrew Carroll • 2017
Pershing built an American army; the soldiers' letters reveal a victory that shattered the world.
4.22
379
My Fellow Soldiers Summary
My Fellow Soldiers 90%
Pershing built an American army; the soldiers' letters reveal a victory that shattered the world.
by Andrew Carroll 2017
4.22
379 ratings
Microbe Hunters
by Paul de Kruif • 2002
A failed painter hypnotized a nation. Democracies paralyzed by fear of war gave him Europe.
4.14
5k+
Microbe Hunters Summary
Microbe Hunters 90%
A failed painter hypnotized a nation. Democracies paralyzed by fear of war gave him Europe.
by Paul de Kruif 2002
4.14
5k+ ratings
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