Tag: Russian history

  • Forged in War by Mark Galeotti

    Forged in War by Mark Galeotti

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Forged in War: No lies detected. Quick synopsis: A look at Russian wars throughout its history.   Fact for Non-History People: Galeotti posits that Oleg the Wise should get the credit for creating Russia rather than the usually named Ryurik. Fact for History Nerds: After the fall of the USSR, Pepsi…

  • The Wrong Stuff by John Strausbaugh

    The Wrong Stuff by John Strausbaugh

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Wrong Stuff: Better to be lucky than good. Quick synopsis: The story of the Soviet space program during the Space Race. Hilarity ensues. Fact for Non-History People: During World War II, upwards of 27 million Russian soldiers and civilians were killed in comparison to 420,000 American casualties. Fact for History…

  • Into Siberia by Gregory Wallance

    Into Siberia by Gregory Wallance

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Into Siberia: Yes, it’s as cold as you think. Quick synopsis: The story of George Kennan’s journey through Siberia to evaluate the exile system of Russia. Fact for Non-History People: The Bell of Uglich was exiled after it was used to summon a revolt. Yes, a literal bell. Fact for History…

  • New episode is up! Russia expert and author Mark Galeotti joins the podcast!

    New episode is up! Russia expert and author Mark Galeotti joins the podcast!

    Let’s talk Russia! Russia expert (among other things) and author Mark Galeotti joins us to talk his book, Putin’s Wars, why the Ukraine War is going the way it is, and how much vodka is too much vodka. You’re going to love it. Come listen! Buy Putin’s WarsCheck out Mark’s blog

  • Putin’s Wars by Mark Galeotti

    Putin’s Wars by Mark Galeotti

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Putin’s Wars: So, this is why Ukraine is whooping his a–. Quick synopsis: A look at the Russian military from the end of the Cold War to now. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Other than a short stint in a basic training program, Putin was never in the Russian military.…

  • The Lighthouse of Stalingrad by Iain MacGregor

    The Lighthouse of Stalingrad by Iain MacGregor

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: Hard reading about the Russians as good guys right now. Quick synopsis: The story of the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The U.S. suffered 419,000 killed in action in World War II. The Soviets suffered 27,000,000. Fun Fact for…

  • The Sinner and the Saint by Kevin Birmingham

    The Sinner and the Saint by Kevin Birmingham

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sinner and the Saint: Hard to feel bad about your own life when you read about Dostoevsky. Quick synopsis: A biography of Fyodor Dostoevsky as he writes Crime and Punishment with inspiration from a notorious French criminal. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: On page 225, Kevin Birmingham pulls out…

  • Catherine the Great by Robert Massie

    Catherine the Great by Robert Massie

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Catherine the Great: She’s not even Russian!  Quick synopsis: An in-depth biography of Catherine the Great of Russia.  Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There is a rumor Catherine died while having sex with a horse. No, she didn’t, you sicko.   Fun Fact for History Nerds: Catherine is one of the…

  • Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar

    Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Dead Mountain: This is why I never go camping. OR In Soviet Russia, mountain kill you! Quick synopsis: The story of the mysterious death of 9 hikers in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1959.  Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The nine hikers’ bodies were found in various forms of…