Books about the Soviet Union?

[Raurast]

I'm interested in learning more about the USSR. I was hoping people could recommend a book or two.

I'm looking for a pretty broad account, nothing too specific, but I am particularly interested in the economic and political structures of the state, and how its leaders translated their ideologies into the real world. I'd prefer as balanced and realistic a view as possible.

Thanks

[Red Future]

Try John Scotts account of Manitogorsk in the 1930s if you want to know about Soviet industrialization in the Five Year Plans.

Alexander Nove - "An economic history of the USSR" is potentially a good book to look at too

[Raubleaux]

Soviet Communism: A New Civilization?

[bailey_187]

Try John Reeds account of Manitogorsk in the 1930s if you want to know about Soviet industrialization in the Five Year Plans.


if ur refering to behind the urals that was John Scott, btw

its a pretty interesting book, but i dont think its the best book to familiarise yourself with the Soviet history as a whole, or the Stalin years IMO

But then i dont really know a book good enought to recommend that covers Soviet history in general lol. so ill be watching this thread

For the early years of the Soviet Union up to Stalint though, Sheila Fitzpatrick's The Russian Revolution is good

[Rooster]

ComradeOm has compiled a list of books on the subject. You can either search the forums or mail him on it.

EDIT: http://www.revleft.com/vb/introducing-revleft-historical-t120423/index.html

[RED DAVE]

Trotsky's History of the Russian Revolution (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1930/hrr/)

Online, free and fabulous.

RED DAVE

[Rooster]

Trotsky's History of the Russian Revolution (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1930/hrr/)

Online, free and fabulous.

RED DAVE

Does Trotksy not underplay his own role in the revolution in that book?

[Omsk]

Here is a great section of works done by Lenin: http://marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/sw/index.htm

That could serve as a fine basis on which to add up facts and information about the early Soviet Union,socialism in general and the revolution.