Customer Reviews

The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union (Longman History Of Russia)

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Obviously a small book covering the entire history of an empire that ruled hundreds of millions of people for decades cannot possibly be exhaustive, but some coherency of coverage could at least be expected. Although it makes some attempts at covering its subject, in my opinion it suffers from being poorly written, its almost lackadaisical style, and a failure to properly introduce and explain concepts. For example, the reader is bombarded in the first chapter by Bolsheviks and Mensheviks, Left and Right SRs, New Style, with hardly a clue as to their meaning and historical significance. Worse, analysis is lacking or flawed. Its perpetuation of the mischaracterization of the coup of October 1917 as a 'revolution' is indefensible in light of information that has long been available to Western historians. In addition, its poor typography and lack of overall structure make its reading an ordeal.

All in all, I would suggest someone who is seeking a good overview and introduction to the history of the Soviet Union to look elsewhere.

A miserable, boring book by a miserable, boring, pompous old man. The doctor will probably recommend a little Where's Waldo to combat the adverse side effects of reading such a boring, hopeless, faulty book. In McCauley's own elite words, you would have to "kill every page" to save yourself from its terminal, dull, thudding nothingness.