July 03, 2020

Next on your Summer Reading List: Putin


Next on your Summer Reading List: Putin
A better fisherman, apparently, than a historian. The RussianLife files

Several German history professors received a surprising email last week from the Russian Embassy in Berlin. The subject line? "Article by Vladimir Putin."

The Russian Embassy reported sent out copies of this article (in German, of course) to several academics, encouraging them to use it in history classes. The article, written to coincide with the 75th celebration of Russia's Victory Day (postponed this year due to the virus), was met with surprise and dismissal by most academics, who see it as historical revisionism and ham-handed propaganda.

Polish leaders, too, have condemned the piece, citing its "blaming" of Poland for its own double-invasion by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.

If nothing else, the article reinforces that history – and its interpretation – is fluid and fraught with biases.

"My guess is that quite a large number of colleagues will use Putin's text as a source that can be studied to learn more about the mechanisms of politics of history in general, and antagonistic memory culture in particular," said one scholar.

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Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

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Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
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Survival Russian

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The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

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