What are the best or at least some really good books on the history of the USSR? At a popular level, something I can more or less turn my mind off and read like a novel. For reference I really enjoyed Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price recently, so something at the level would be nice. Or on the level of Sapiens by Yuval Harari. Something simpler/easier than A People’s History by Howard Zinn, which is obviously also very good, but that’s too academic for what I’m after. From searching online it seems like a lot of the stuff out there is very Victims of Communism-esque, so I’m looking for something more sympathetic or at least neutral.
I’ve read and enjoyed Behind the Urals by John Scott recently, but I’d really like a broader overview that goes from revolution to collapse (or something focusing on like the 50s-70s). I also enjoyed Red Plenty by Francis Spufford, it’s not a history book but it captured at least the kind of vibe I’m looking for.
I’m not looking for a book on communism or Stalin specifically, really a pure USSR history book. I’m not particularly interested in WW2 history either. I also love the Soviet space program, so something like that would be good as well.
Any recommendations?
by Cancel_Still
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October by China Mieville
The Russian Revolution by Walter Rodney
Socialism Betrayed by Roger Keeran
Is The Red Flag Flying by Albert Szymanksi