The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism: A History of 20th-Century Russia cover art

The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism: A History of 20th-Century Russia

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The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism: A History of 20th-Century Russia

By: Gary Hamburg, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary Hamburg
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About this listen

From the Oval Office to the streets of Moscow, world leaders and ordinary citizens alike share interest and concerns about Russia. Can democracy survive there? What does the future hold for the once expansive and still powerful Russian nation? Is Soviet Communism truly dead?

These are the kinds of questions diplomats struggle with every day. And now, through this series of 16 incisive lectures by an acclaimed scholar of Russian history, you can begin investigating them for yourself as you take a probing historical journey through the recent history and near future of a key world power. Whether your chief interest is Russian or world history, political theory, or international relations, you'll take away fresh knowledge and insight as Professor Hamburg examines the improbable origins of Communist rule in Russia, the ascent of the Red Star to its zenith, and its decline and apparent end in the wake of 1989's events.

Using new material from previously sealed Soviet archives and covering recent controversial findings by both Russian and Western scholars, he begins with the failures of the czarist regime and the horrors of the First World War, then takes you through the bloody era of Josef Stalin's purges and beyond to Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika to offer you a thoroughgoing analysis of the Soviet experiment.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1996 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1996 The Great Courses
Europe Russia Soviet Union Cold War

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All stars
Most relevant  
Learned so much. A great synopsis of a confusing and bizarre historical period; of which at least a loose grasp seems more important than ever. Thank you.

Fascinating

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good and informative lectures but it did seem to be in that awkward middle ground where a decent amount of knowledge was often assumed but then at other times left you wondering why more depth was not offered. It should have probably been about 10 lectures longer to be honest. the political analyses of pre-revolutionary Russia was probably most insightful moment.

Good lectures

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Good introduction to Soviet history. No branching off on to sidetracks, it does what it says excellently

Political history in easily understood terms

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What did you like most about The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism: A History of 20th-Century Russia?

The saturation of useful information for either Degree qualifications, A-level and GCSE.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The abdication of the Tsar in March 1917.

Which character – as performed by Professor Gary Hamburg – was your favourite?

...

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's educational.

Any additional comments?

May be a bit to much information for a GCSE student or even an A-level student which I am. I find some parts irrelevant for me or in other words an A-level student. Some of the grammar used may be a bit confusing for anyone under the age of 18 trying to gather knowledge of Russia from 1900-1991.

Packed full of relevant and useful information

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Very interesting with a lot of detail about the rise of communism - including the lead up to the 1917 revolution. I would have liked as much detail about the decline.

More Rise than fall

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An excellent series of fast-moving lectures, rich with insight and wisdom Really enjoyable and very informative.

Rich with insight and wisdom

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Exactly what I wanted, if you are interested in this period I would definitely go for it.

Really very good

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excellent for anyone wanting to get an overview of a vast and complex history. speaker is clearly an expert in his field..

excellent overview of Russian history

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A competent but brisk narrative of the Soviet era that focuses on the early period (pre-1941) to a great extent. The age of the recording is conspicuous, however, as the lecturer opines on what developments Yeltsin's leadership *might* bring - an update that expands on the influence of the Soviet experience on Putin's Russia would be very welcome.

Good, but showing its age

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It's a big topic, and only so much time to cover it. The history of the Russian revolution is interesting, but it is too complicated to tell the whole story here anyway. The lectures should have focused more on the soviet union, and then the revolution could be another book.

Because the lectures were rushing through everything, very little deep insight is given, it is only a quick summary.

Good, but a bit too short / Too much time spent on the revolution

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