The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr Matthew Raphael Johnson - Part 39
May 28, 2025
Matthew Raphael Johnson, a researcher and former professor specializing in Russian history, joins the discussion to delve into Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together.' The conversation covers the implications of historical narratives surrounding the Russian Revolution and the disconnect from agricultural practices, emphasizing its social effects. They humorously juxtapose these serious topics with a cat's cleverness, critique mainstream historical portrayals, and explore issues of authority and anti-Jewish sentiment during upheaval in Kiev's history.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Cat Tricks and Control
- Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson shares how his cat Stanley controls him by repeatedly asking to go in and out.
- This playful example highlights cats' cleverness and influence in their owners' routines.
Bolshevik Manipulation of Strikes
- Revolutionary strikes and disruptions were orchestrated with threats and violence, revealing manipulation rather than genuine labor concerns.
- Bolshevik leaders controlled agriculture without knowledge, resulting in famine that served political interests, not economic necessity.
Jewish Role in Kiev Unrest
- Jewish revolutionaries in Kiev led violent disturbances, desecrating imperial symbols and disrupting order.
- Their actions reveal deep hatred of monarchy and nationalism, despite appeals for peace from authorities.
