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14+ Works 556 Membros 9 Reviews 2 Favorited

About the Author

He is professor Russian studies & history at New York University & a consultant to CBS News. His books include Bukharin & the Bolshevik Revolution & Sovieticus. (Bowker Author Biography)

Obras de Stephen F. Cohen

Associated Works

The Commissar Vanishes. The Falsification of Photographs and Art in the Soviet Union (1997) — Prefácio, algumas edições256 cópias
Khrushchev: The Years in Power (1976) — Prefácio, algumas edições128 cópias
How It All Began: The Prison Novel (1998) — Tradutor, algumas edições; Prefácio, algumas edições55 cópias
Stalinism: Essays in Historical Interpretation (1977) — Contribuinte — 48 cópias
American priorities in a new world era — Contribuinte — 1 exemplar(es)

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While I had some hopes that current war will end without further effects on the rest of the world, after reading this book I am no longer so sure.

Book reads as a journal - collection of author's monthly based politic commentaries on events from 2014 'til late 2018 with focus set to relations between US and Russia. As pages go by and as events roll on, it is visible [from the retrospective] that what culminated in 2022 was not unexpected but was craved, unfortunately by those that are the most liberal and progressive, in a ways that are so horrifying and chilling that I just do not see how this can end up in diplomatic way.

I wont go into details of either side but it is unfortunate that West made the choice to go to war no matter what. I have to admit that if it weren't same propaganda machine aggressively attacking and [lets be honest] destroying anyone disagreeing with official line during the epidemic I would definitely experience this book differently. But with that knowledge of total discrediting of mainstream media and governments (where every mayor became a mini dictator) during epidemic, it is visible that same methods were used years before to heat the relations between US and Russia. To what goal, I do not know. Holland and Merkel's confessions that Minsk agreements weren't worth the ink used - although they might be confessions of weak people (as almost all of the post 1980's politicians in the West seem to be, not state-creators but simple bureaucrats and managers) to gain political points - prove that something truly essential, at the core, went wrong and only solution found was war.

Just notion of media demonization of first one person, then moving to the entire nation is something that should put cold fear into everyone's heart. With such dehumanization current status of affairs is not surprising. But unfortunately while it is very easy to roll on hate of this scope, stopping it is something completely different. I just dont think Western politicians are capable of it (even if they want it), because it would mean jumping into their own mouths.

With that being said I am no longer sure that high intensity war can be stopped. Because of idiots who do not risk anything but their own political proclamations (that they will change as easily tomorrow) we all risk something terrible. After 14 years from war in Georgia, 11 years from escalation in Syria and 8 years since events in Ukraine [do note ever shortening period between crisis] West aims towards something that only 40 years ago would be worked full force to be prevented. I do not blame high ranking military personnel that support this craziness, because they are also not people with anything to risk- they are military bureaucrats same as their civilian counterparts, living their lives in theory and dreaming some idiotic grandeur and they need the enemy. So, hey, Russia, right? It wont be them dying on battlefields or ending mauled and without limbs. And actors and media persons ...... I can only say....... person can look smart and act smart but lest be honest, court jesters of old had a purpose which was picked up by media, news and entertainment in our days. And for current media personas, these court jesters were PhD's in diplomatic affairs and public relations, serious people with serious tasks at hand. Current one's? Utter disgrace and idiots.

Lets be straight - every nation mentioned in the book fights for its interests. This is as natural as it gets. But to allow years to pass just to press and press and year after year demonize everything and everyone on the other side, dehumanize them as constant tricksters, liars and to constantly break agreements with them and then to bring it to the [initial] break-point [of 2022] and keep on with the ugliest possible narrative that turns even Western institutions to risk of dehumanization if they ask any questions or try anything? Only one word - disgusting.

We live in the world of adult-children led by some very serious people with, for me, unfathomable goals, using nothing but emotions and intellectual illiteracy. People have forgotten what actual war is, not chasing terrorists in some far away country, but actual war, tanks and artillery rolling and leveling everything. And let me not start on nuclear weapons because I think politicians truly think they can use them and live........

Terrifying book. Lets just hope there will be something left to start anew.

Highly recommended read.
… (mais)
 
Marcado
Zare | Feb 1, 2024 |
This is a stunning book - remarkable research went into its preparation. The writing is excellent. The subject matter - and subject-of-the-biography - are fascinating and meaningful about how Stalinism developed in opposition to Bukharin's entirely different intentions and theory about how to build communism. I never encountered the name or story of Nikolai Bukharin in my history studies in high school or college. I am glad I have now, and I will read more of this man and the story of the development of the USSR that terrified and murdered its people and ravaged its culture & economy.… (mais)
 
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RickGeissal | outras 2 resenhas | Aug 16, 2023 |
 
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paulrvdloeff | Apr 2, 2016 |

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Obras
14
Also by
5
Membros
556
Popularidade
#44,900
Avaliação
4.1
Resenhas
9
ISBNs
43
Idiomas
4
Favorito
2

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