Books/Websites/Videos about the USSR and "Communist" China?

[Soomie]

I am not well informed on either the USSR or "Communist" China. I don't really know why the USSR wasn't communist or why communism didn't work there. I have heard that some believe it is due to trying to establish socialism in one country, which some believe does not work. I also know nothing about the history of communism in China and how it is doing today. Could any comrades recommend any books/websites/videos to get me up to speed on these topics?

[thriller]

As far as a history of the Russian Revolution and it's impact on Russia, Sheila Fitzpatrick's "The Russian Revolution" is pretty good and fairly unbiased.

[Brosa Luxemburg]

Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti (http://www.amazon.com/Blackshirts-Reds-Rational-Overthrow-Communism/dp/0872863298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352824108&sr=1-1&keywords=Blackshirts+and+reds)

It's a great book and I could not suggest it more. It's not just about the history of the USSR and other "communist" states, but it goes into depth on the subject. I have some disagreements with the author on certain things, but overall it is a very good and important book.

For the USSR, Check out these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0253205417/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01

http://www.amazon.com/Russia-Era-NEP-Explorations-Indiana-Michigan/dp/025320657X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

http://www.amazon.com/Dimensions-Industrialization-Indiana-Michigan-Russian-European/dp/025320772X/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Many claim that the USSR wasn't socialist, etc. because there existed the exchange of equivalent values, generalized commodity production, and other essentially bourgeois characteristics.

EDIT: Look at the quote in my signature, lol

[The Idler]

Russia 1917-1967 A Socialist Analysis - World Socialist Movement (http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/pamphlets/russia-1917-1967-socialist-analysis)