In Moscow's Shadows 133: Books on Russia, Books on Ukraine
Feb 4, 2024
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An exploration of recent books on Russia and Ukraine. The speaker offers insights on each book and plans to continue with the comparative approach. Analyzes 'Getting Russia Right', emphasizing learning from mistakes. Reviews books on the complexities and interconnectedness between Russia and Ukraine. Discusses books on the conflict, highlighting the impact of events and entangled histories. Delves into 'Pabor-O-Givel' on Zelensky and provides analysis of the war in the small town of Osnesensk. Concludes with reflections on bravery, critiques of Putin, and book recommendations.
50:06
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Quick takeaways
Understanding the evolution of Russo-American relations requires strategic patience and humility, as highlighted in Thomas Graham's book 'Getting Russia Right'.
The books on Ukraine provide insights into the historical interconnections and divergences between Russia and Ukraine, the political biography of President Zelensky, and the resilience of Ukraine's small town Osnasensk against Russian attacks.
Deep dives
Book reviews: Getting Russia Right, The Lost Peace, Riding the Tiger
The podcast episode features a compilation of two comparative book reviews. In the first half, the host discusses Thomas Graham's Getting Russia Right, Richard Sackworth's The Lost Peace, and Leon Aron's Riding the Tiger. The central theme of Graham's book is to understand the evolution of a positive US-Russia relationship, recommending strategic patience and humility. Sackworth's book focuses on the failures of Western foreign policy towards Russia since 1991. Aron's book delves into Putin's militaristic patriotism and its impact on Russia's relationship with the outside world. While the books highlight different aspects of Russo-American relations, they all contribute insights to understanding the dynamics between the two countries.
Book reviews: Russia and Ukraine, The Showman, A Small Stubborn Town
Moving on to another episode of book reviews, the podcast covers three books related to Ukraine. Maria Popova and Oxana Chevelle's Russia and Ukraine provides a historical context, emphasizing the interconnections and divergences between the two nations. Simon Schuster's The Showman is a political biography of Ukraine's President Zelensky, analyzing his evolution from a comedian to a national leader. Andrew Harding's A Small Stubborn Town focuses on the town of Osnasensk in Ukraine and its resistance against Russian attacks. With each book offering a different perspective, they shed light on the history, leadership, and resilience of Ukraine in the face of conflict.
As I'm travelling this weekend, this episode is a compilation of two sets of comparative book reviews already provided to my Patrons.
First up, three recent books on Russia that, together, would make up one pretty fine, balanced and comprehensive one...
Thomas Graham, Getting Russia Right (Polity)
Richard Sakwa, The Lost Peace (Yale)
Leon Aron, Riding the Tiger (AEI)
In the second half, three more books, this time all about Ukraine:
Maria Popova & Oxana Shevel, Russia and Ukraine. Entangled histories, diverging states (Polity)
Simon Shuster, The Showman (William Collins)
Andrew Harding, A Small, Stubborn Town (Ithaka)
The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.
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