What dies with Alexei Navalny?

In 'Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival', Luke Harding delivers a compelling chronicle of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The book is a blend of reportage and history, drawing on Harding’s personal experiences and interviews with political and military leaders, as well as civilians and soldiers. It covers the initial days of the conflict, the grim reality of the ongoing war, and the human stories behind the headlines. Harding also examines the ideological, religious, and personal reasons behind Putin’s decision to invade and provides context by discussing the historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine. The book includes vivid accounts from locations such as Mariupol and Bucha, and it situates these micro-stories within the broader narrative of the conflict and its global implications.

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.