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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
This isn’t an easy read, obviously in terms of its subject matter but also the density of the reporting included. But in that, Applebaum creates quite the definitive account of Soviet occupation of Ukraine in the first half of the twentieth century. The link to the war presently launched by Russia in Ukraine is clear. Perhaps the reason why Vladimir Putin is hellbent on controlling Ukraine has been modernized, he has still learned from Stalin’s regime and uses the same tactics for brutal suppression. While I’m not sure the world has completely learned the lessons of the Holodomor (how could do many people be so naïve to a government’s propensity for evil? Or how could politics be considered a legitimate argument deterring interference?), I think the West has largely learned the Soviet playbook, and Putin is obviously butthurt that we all know what a sensitive, small man he is.
Important account of terrible manmade famine in Ukraine that recounts long history between Russia and Ukraine that explains a lot about todays terrible war.
An uncomfortable book to read - because of it's subject matter, not because of the writing. I thought I knew about the Holodomor before, but the scale and horror of it is quite stunning. One in eight Ukrainians died, in many cases because people actually, physically came into their homes and took their food away. It is hard to fathom.
Especially thought provoking to us in the west should be the chapter about the aftermath of the famine and its history in the west, where first it was denied by prominent journalists, and then for decades remained practically unknown and unrecognized by academic historians and Soviet scholars.
Applebaum's writing is clear and matter of fact, which I think suits such a grave subject well. There is little in the way of emotional outbursts or literary effects here - the story itself really doesn't need it.
Especially thought provoking to us in the west should be the chapter about the aftermath of the famine and its history in the west, where first it was denied by prominent journalists, and then for decades remained practically unknown and unrecognized by academic historians and Soviet scholars.
Applebaum's writing is clear and matter of fact, which I think suits such a grave subject well. There is little in the way of emotional outbursts or literary effects here - the story itself really doesn't need it.
Well, that was depressing. I don't recall this being taught in school and wasn't aware it had happened. An engaging look at a terrible subject.
Holodomor would be a good generic term for genocide through starvation whether it’s Lakota people and bison, Salish people and salmon, or Ukrainian people and grain.
informative
medium-paced
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Ugh. So having never learned my of this before... It turns out the relationship we are viewing is the way it's always been .. I am so sorry.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced