Tag: Russian history
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The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel by Douglas Brunt
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel: Too much money being made for Stalin’s taste. Quick synopsis: The story of oil titan Emanuel Nobel. Fact for Non-History People: The current Nobel Prize monetary award is about $1 million. Fact for History Nerds: Previous nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize include Adolf Hitler,…
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Rasputin by Antony Beevor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Rasputin: Stranger than any fiction. Quick synopsis: The bizarre life of Rasputin and the downfall of the Romanovs. Fact for Non-History People: He rarely bathed and smelled AWFUL. Fact for History Nerds: Rasputin was actually married and had seven children. This is in addition to being a sex crazed maniac. My…
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The Rebel Romanov by Helen Rappaport
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel Romanov: Even princesses deserve second acts. Quick synopsis: The life of Jule Saxe-Coburg and her flight from Russian court life. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Actual note from Grand Duke Alexander to his future wife included this tidbit that she reported that he was, “authorized by his parents…
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Peter the Great by Robert Massie
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Peter the Great: He was enlightened and a drunk. A man after my own heart. Quick synopsis: A (very, very) in depth biography of Peter the Great of Russia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Peter took what might be the first “gap year” ever. In 1697, he took a group…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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
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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.…