From Peter the great to Gorbachov is a re-read. I enjoyed it. This focused on the individual leaders of Russia, from Peter the Great at the beginning of the Russian empire, to Gorbachov at the end of the Soviet Empire. It focused less on the life of individual Russian Peasants. I enjoyed it, and you really see how the events of today have as a prelude the events of history. However, in comparison to all these people Putin is a very different animal.
How the Spanish Civil War became Europe’s Battlefield
This is a Great Courses lecture about the Spanish Civil War. I honestly think this is one of the best lecture series I’ve ever read due to how deep a dive it goes into the subject. It discusses the subject, diving into everything from international politics (Axis vs Allies, Communism vs Fascism vs Liberal Capitalism), to the military campaigns (beginning in Morocco, the March to Madrid and Toledo, the guerilla campaigns), to the human rights violations (Guernica, as the big example), the different roles women played on the different side (women actively fought for the Republic, while women were forced to the sidelines on the Nationalist/Fascist side) and more. While it was clear that both sides made mistakes/broke moral taboos, the Fascists made more of them, and the Fascists started the war in the first place..
This was really good, and a bit sad. I highly recommend it if you’re curious.
John Mendez- Book Reviews and More 