The weather is cooling down, I'm yearning for a more serious read. Particularly, I am looking for a history book (or books) that would cover Ukraine from ancient years to modern day. Russian/Ukrainian authors do not suffice, since both populations have become grossly nationalistic as of late. I'd prefer a Western author, or at least someone who's been translated and earned respect in the West. I want the read to be detailed, but I hope it's pleasant. Any suggestions?
The only book close which I recommend is a novel by James Michener. Its called "Poland". It focuses on Poland and its history from long ago in the pagan days until the 1980's when it was under communist authority, when the book was written. It covers a lot of history in story format which makes it interesting. Some of the highlights are the Mongol invasion, the Teutonic campaigns, World War II, and the Cold War. He really does his research well and creates interesting characters which he places in those time periods so you can see what was going on from a close up perspective as well as a global one as he sets the stage as each part of the story progresses. The author was a book editor in New York until his early 40's when WWII broke out. At that time he took a commission in the Navy and was a reporter of sorts in the South Pacific campaign. After the war he wrote, "Tales of the South Pacific" which was an instant success based on his war time experiences. From there he wrote more and more books about different parts of the world. From the Caribbean to the Holy Land Michener seems to deeply study the history before writing a compelling story covering the area. Good luck finding his work. Its older but very good. You might find it cheap at a used book store. That is where I picked up my copy.
I recommend Endurance and Endeavour 1812 - 2001 by J.N. Westwood http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endurance-E...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221226502&sr=1-1 Online here: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=54843057 Poland is also good but is about... Poland. Richard Pipes has supposedly written an excellent trilogy on the subject, but I haven't read it http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Revol...=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221226774&sr=1-6 There have also been good reviews of The Icon and the Axe http://www.amazon.com/Icon-Axe-Interpretive-History-Russian/dp/0394708466/ref=cm_lmf_tit_9
BAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH .Sorry, I just have a friend whose dad is a total polish bigot, and I totally agree with you.
What? We have a History forum and so few of you actually read non-fiction on the matter? Pizdets, blya. The Cold War ended only a short while ago, it was popular to study Russia and Eastern Europe for a few decades in U.S., I'd expect that at least the older population might have read a book or two on the subject. Poland originated from the Slavic tribes and the people in the region often interacted with Ukraine and Russia, so it is relevant and I will take a look at the book. S.A.M., thanks, I'll look those up.
Not certain if this may interest you, I am interested in the politics of national identity Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! National Identity and Foreign Policy: Nationalism and Leadership in Poland, Russia and Ukraine
I have an insider's view on it, I doubt a book will shed any more light. To put together "national identity" and "foreign policy" into one title, for one, is a gross misunderstanding, since the peoples' opinions and government policies have been two different, barely related things for at least a hundred years in that region. If you really want to gain insight on that subject matter, you're far better off observing the news and speaking to people who were born and lived there for over a decade. Part of it is history, of course, but then you should also observe how the inhabitants of that region view history: the facts are often twisted for them and they come up with some baffling notions.
Its an interesting book. It argues that the weak civil society in Eastern European nations means that political activism and identification is largely a matter of national identity. And that this national identity is created in reaction to "others", in some societies like Russia and the Ukraine, the other is still a matter of debate [unlike Poland, where national identity is very strong] and hence more democratised.
Here's a couple titles that I've noticed as cited by other works. Koryakova, Ludmila and Andrej Epimakhov (2007). The Urals and Western Siberia in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Anthony, David W. (2007). The Horse, the Wheel, and Language: How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World. Princeton University Press Levine, Marsha; Yuri Rassamakin, and Aleksandr Kislenko (Eds.) (1999). Late Prehistoric Exploitation of the Eurasian Steppe. Cambridge: McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. Like I said, I haven't actually read either of these, but I have a habit of collecting citations when I'm doing research in case I need them later.
So far, I have picked up: Ukraine: A History by Orest Subtelny The Magical Chorus: A History of Russian Culture from Tolstoy to Solzhenitsyn by Solomon Volkov I'll use Ukraine: A History as a base and build from there. Thanks for the suggestions, they're all very useful! I haven't actually flipped through the first yet, but I have already started The Magical Chorus, and... What a read. It got a big review in a local Russian newspaper and I want to brush up on all of those names, that's why I grabbed it. I'm reading it in Russian, of course, it's half the price of the American translation and has some photos in the back. There are lots of quotes, but it's not an objective read by far, I'm building foam at the mouth as I'm quietly reading it. Very exciting.
My interest in that region is with the early bronze age and before, particularly earliest innovations like equine domestication and tattooing, though I must ashamedly admit I've not studied the literature with more than a passing read of snippets of text here and there -always meaning to read more later. Where does the time go? I'm trying to wade through Weber and Marx tonight for a graduate class. I would much rather read something from my ever-growing list of books and journal articles.
Oh yea, the book list... Have you read any of Tolstoy's works? He was a cult personality in his day in Europe and U.S., it'd help put Marx and Lenin into perspective. Don't read The Magical Chorus if you haven't read any of the Russian classics of the 19th-20th century. My biggest disagreements with the author are that our interpretations of the authors and their works are very different. Of course, he's more of an authority, he actually met many of the people he's writing about; but still.
