Reviews (4)

Highly recommended.
Well, being born in one of those Central Belarussian towns I would say I agree with 95% of material and it's analized with good skills. I highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in Eastern Europe history and to descendents of Poles, Belarussians and Ukrainians.
When nationalists go crazy
There is something very Polish about this book; not merely in the fact that the last third of it is a generous, and somewhat indulgent account of Polish foreign policy since 1989.There is a tendency within Polish culture towards very black humor; one thinks of Gombrowicz, Kosinski, and Polanski.What we have here is a story of nationalist obtuseness and narrow-mindedness.Then, during the Second World War, this nationalism degenerates into murder and mass slaughter.But after 1989, there is a happy ending, at least for Poland.It is as unconvincing as a Hollywood film but no less real than that.Basically Timothy Snyder's book about nationalism in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus deals with a conflict between two rival nationalist conceptions.1569 saw the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which covered most of what are now those four countries.In offered religious tolerance to all and civil rights to the political nation.The catch was that the "political nation" was the nobility, and the vast majority of people in the Commonwealth were peasants. Over the next two centuries the Commonwealth declined and was partitioned out of existence in the 1790s.As Polish nobles thought about trying to win back their independence, many of them wanted to win back the tolerant, federalist ideas of the old Commonwealth.However in the 19th century a new, more modern idea of nationalism began to take shape.In a more democratic age the nation consisted of the people.Instead of a compromise between various elites, the people, usually defined by language, would form their own nations.First in Poland, then in Lithuania, then slowly in Ukraine and only very partially now in Belarus, would the second idea triumph. Federalism and Nationalism in East Slavic lands
In some ways this is a marvellous book, dealing with the life and death of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and with the states which succeeded it.This Republic of nobles and gentry has often been ridiculed for its weaknesses and its inability to resist its more powerful neighbors, but as long as it lasted there was more freedom, religious, political, and social, within its borders than anywhere else in Europe.It was not only the powerful empires of Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary which did it in; it was also destroyed by the growth of nationalism, the idea that a state should be more or less the same as a nation.Snyder shows with devastating irony how artificial nationalist ideologies really are, but also how powerful they can become and how deadly.Certainly the world of Eastern Europe would have been better under the inspiration of the great "Lithuanian" poet Adam Mickiewicz and the last great Polish politician Josef Pilsudski, but this was not to be.Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Political Ideologies - Nationalism    7. Europe    8. History / Europe / Eastern   

Subjects:  1. Environmental impact of radiation    2. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    3. Nuclear power & engineering    4. Social impact of environmental issues    5. Ukraine    6. c 1980 to c 1990   

Reviews (2)

Off Center
When this book was written, there were very few, if any, books in English on this subject, as compared to works from the Canadian Ukranian community, so this book was important at the time since it explored the at the time obscure existance the Galicia Divison. Since then three better books have been written, and with less biased, more objectionable views. The author, who's study of the more arcane units of the Waffen SS is to be admired, often falls in line with the view Waffen SS veterans have of their service, the veterans of the Galicia Divison feel the same, they were indeed fighters for freedom for the Ukraine, but also fell into many traps, like anti-semitism. The author portrays them without blemish, where in fact much blemish existed. The author also though, received many first hand accounts that other historians and authors will be unable to get, as I would assume many veterans consider him an ally. Read this book with objectivity on the issue, it should probably be in your collection if you are interested in this subject, but should be contrasted with other works on this unit.

A Gripping Story of Ukrainians fight for freedom
A very well written book with details of why and how the Galician Division was formed.The Battle of Brody is described.It includes black & white reproductions of unit badges and insignia.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Eastern Front    3. Germany    4. Grenadier-Division, 14    5. History: World    6. Regimental histories    7. Ukraine    8. Waffen-SS    9. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (4)

somewhat thin soup
Michael Kihntopf's Handcuffed To A Corpse is a thin, 113-page volume examining Imperial Germany's direct intervention in a few specific military campaigns and battles on behalf of her lame and basically useless ally, Austria-Hungary.Although the book's subtitle suggests that this covers operations in the Balkans and Galicia "1914-1917," in point of fact it ends with the campaign Mackensen ran effectively removing Romania from the war in late 1916.
A Book to Avoid!!
The author makes a cottage industry of WW I East Front books it appears. None of any quality or scholarship. This is a book - like his others - to avoid.

this is a better book than the first reviewer thought
The long awaited follow up to the author's first book, this volume illuminates the war in the Balkans, a much ignored but very important part of the war. I hope he keeps the outstanding work coming. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balkan Peninsula    2. Campaigns    3. Eastern Europe - General    4. Galicia (Poland and Ukraine)    5. Germany    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Military - World War I    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. World War, 1914-1918   

Reviews (3)

Half rhetoric, half history.
This book offers an interesting insight into the Second Russian Revolution. It is a collection of essays written by the military leader of the Ukranian anarchists who fought first along side of and then against the Bolsheviks. Mr. A. Skirda also deserves a mention for his excellent translation. Excellent Collection
This book presents some excellent essays by Nestor Makhno, military leader of the anarchists in the Ukraine during the Russian Civil War. Makhno's work is not well-known, but he explains anarchism quite lucidly and gives the reader good reasons to prefer it over capitalism and state socialism.

Excellent!
I had never read Nestor Makhno until I got this version of his works from AK Press, and was only vaguely familiar with his name.Now I know who he is -- the most brilliant anarchist writer of the past two hundred years. While Stirner may offer more lessons on life, Makhno offers more lessons onrevolutionary struggle -- lessons which the feuding factions of would-beanarchists today would do well to learn from.I recommend this wholeheartedly to every anarchist everywhere.Get this book now!Read more

Subjects:  1. 1921-1944    2. Anarchism    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: American    8. History: World    9. Revolution, 1917-1921    10. Russia - History - 1917 To 1991    11. Ukraine    12. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    13. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    14. History / General    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (13)

There's another book that covers this topic! Get it as well!
It is Dr Joel Hayward's critically praised book called "Stopped at Stalingrad". As a reviewer below notes, Hayward's book has almost 90 pages that analyse the German assault and the Soviet defence of Sevastapol at length, utilising a commendable array of previously unknown primary sources and providing a thorough and insightful analysis. Hayward's book deals with air, sea and land operations in and around Sevastopol, and is almost faultless. It is a very strong book, not like this far weaker work.

good and bad news
The good news (for me) was that I read a friend's copy of this book and so did not waste my own money.
A great general history of the W2 battle for Sevastopol
I thoroughly enjoyed Sweeting's new book Blood and Iron.Sweeting hit his target presenting this general review of the little known WW2 battle for Sevastopol.It is packed with unpublished photos as well as data on uniforms, weapons and other useful information appealing to the collector as well as novice historian.Not for the self styled military tactician or those suffering from a gaming fetish, I highly recommended this work for someone who is looking for a layman's look at a little known WW2 theater of operation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Eastern Front    3. Europe - Germany    4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - World War II    9. Sevastopol (Ukraine)    10. Siege, 1942    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Battles & campaigns    13. European history: Second World War    14. Germany    15. History / Military / Weapons    16. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. Ethnic relations    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Jews    7. Kam'ianets-Podilskyi    8. Kam'ianets-Podilskyi (Uk    9. Kam'ëiìanets§-Podil§s§kyæi    10. Kam'ëiìanets§-Podil§s§kyæi (Ukraine)    11. Ukraine   

Reviews (1)

Open end the star system!
Like the Abel Paz classic,"Durrutti,The people armed."This is one essential book.Second only to Durrutti in time.The place for the drama is the Ukraine,circa,1917-20.The history of the Makhnovista's is truly epic,gut wrenching and incredible.It is almost totally forgotten or ignored now,yet,this is one of those points in History with a capital H.The ripples of these extraordinary events and superhuman feats are still rippling outward in spite of several genocides wreaked on this reigon.The writers style seems a little old fashioned and unusual,yet, you get drawn in by the human interest story of the education and stellar rise of a genuine working class hero and revolutionary Icon,"Batko",Nestor Makhno met the author in prison and learnt the basics of anarchism from him.They were released in the febuary revolution and their battles in the south against tyranny's of white and red armies have become the stuff of legend.The study of what ordinary people actually do in revolutionary periods is intrinsically interesting.I would suggest that close study of the makhnovist libertarian socialist revolution should be rewarding,if only for entertainment.(Its 70mm cinematic.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1889-1934    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. History    4. History: World    5. Makhno, Nestor Ivanovich,    6. Political Ideologies - Anarchism    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Revolution, 1917-1921    11. Revolutionary    12. Ukraine    13. Makhno, Nestor Ivanovich    14. Political Science / General    15. World history   

Reviews (1)

The Road from Letichev, Vol.2
My mother, who grew up in Deraznia (on the Road to Letichev), died a few years ago. Here, in this book, I found out so much about her life in the Ukraine. It made me feel as if I was there, sharing that life with her!!! What an amazing book!
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Subjects:  1. Ethnic relations    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Holocaust    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Letychiv    10. Letychiv (Ukraine)    11. Ukraine    12. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    13. Jewish studies    14. World history   

Subjects:  1. 1884-1959    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Bishops    5. Byzantine rite, Ukrainian    6. Catholic Church    7. Charnetskyi, Nykolai,    8. Charneëtìs§kyæi, Nykolaæi,    9. Christian martyrs    10. Christianity - Catholicism    11. Christianity - History - Catholic    12. Inspirational - Catholic    13. Inspirational - General    14. Religion    15. Religious    16. Ukraine   

Reviews (1)

A new classic in Hasidic history
Professor Rosman succeeds at portraying the Ba'al Shem Tov, Israel ben Eliezer of Miedzyboz, in his environment of the Polish-Lithuanian shtetls and in the midst of the politics and economics of the Jewish kahal, and the Polish, post-Russo-Swedish War nobility. He also succeeds in separating the BeShT fables from the realities, and succinctly disproves the authenticity of the "BeShT's letters." The author also delves into the roots of the Besht's power and his role in the community. Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Baal Shem Tov,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Hasidim    7. Hasidism    8. History    9. Judaism - Hasidism    10. Rabbis    11. Religion - Judaism    12. Religious    13. Ukraine    14. ca. 1700-1760    15. Ba°al Shem Tov    16. History / General    17. Judaism    18. Mysticism   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Historical - Holocaust    4. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    5. Jewish Holocaust Personal Narratives    6. Jews    7. Lviv    8. L§viv    9. Persecutions    10. Personal narratives    11. Ukraine    12. Drix, Samuel    13. History    14. Poland    15. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (3)

Good Overview of Mongol Invasion
Kalka River 1223: Genghiz Khan's Mongols Invade Russia is an excellent overview of the first Mongol invasion of medieval Russia.It is quite different from most other Osprey books, since the majority is dedicated to the describing the armies and their weaponary.As a result the book gives one a more indepth look at aspects other than the battle.While the 40 pages or so dedicated to the armies does not do either justice, it is a very good beginning. An excellent account of the Mongols and medieval Russia
This new title from Osprey really gave me a new perspective on history. I knew a great deal of the mongols and their empire before, but reading David Nicolle's book gave me loads of new information concerning this era and the details of the battle, which I never could have imagend. Nicolle and co-writer Military Archaeology, Not History
Since there are so few books on the Mongol campaigns, even mediocre ones such as Kalka River 1223 should be appreciated.To be fair, Dr. David Nicolle, author of many Osprey titles on Medieval Warfare, has done his usual thorough research into a subject of great interest to himself and produced a sturdy synthesis.Unfortunately, Dr. Nicolle's talents lie in the realm of military archaeology, not military history, which somewhat reduces the value of this volume to military readers. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. General    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Kalka River, Battle of, Ukrain    7. Kalka River, Battle of, Ukraine, 1223    8. Kievan Rus    9. Medieval    10. Military - General    11. Mongols    12. Russia    13. ASIA    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    15. Battles & campaigns    16. Eastern Europe    17. European history: c 500 to c 1500    18. History / Military / General    19. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

Response to another reviewer's comments about the foreward
Chernobyl: The Forbidden Truth is about the inadequate care of the victims of Chernobyl, the inadequate immediate response to the accident, the inadequate records-keeping of the investigaters, and the continuing cost in human and animal suffering caused by this tragedy.Dr. Gofman's foreward is an important addition that ties the book's litany of problems together with a description of what should be done instead regarding investigating the exact size of the calamity.Millions of Curies of various radioactive substances were released (some long-lived, some not so long-lived), but no one really knows where it all went and who is absorbing a dose right now.This is, however, a chronic problem with nuclear activities around the world, and not limited to Chernobyl. Great story of human side of the disaster.Flawed Forward.
Ms. Yaroshinskaya's telling of her struggle to publish the truth about the Chernobyl disaster ranks among the best of this type.Very good, very true story.Well translated.The forward by John Gofman is a self praising, out-of-place, anti-nuclear discussion on how to conduct a type of research.The book would have been improved by its omission. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Ch    3. Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Chernobyl, Ukraine, 1986    4. Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Chornobyl§, Ukraine, 1986    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: American    9. Nuclear power plants    10. Safety    11. Sources    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Eastern Europe    4. History - General History    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Jewish Holocaust Personal Narratives    7. Jews    8. Lviv    9. L§viv    10. Persecutions    11. Personal narratives    12. Rabbis    13. Ukraine    14. Kahana, David   

Subjects:  1. Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Ch    2. Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Chornobyl§, Ukraine, 1986    3. Disasters & Disaster Relief    4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    5. History    6. History - General History    7. Nuclear Energy    8. Nuclear Plant Safety    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Environmental impact of industrial disasters    12. Environmental impact of radiation    13. Nuclear issues    14. Science / Physics    15. Ukraine   

Subjects:  1. Carpatho-Rusyn language    2. Dialects    3. Eastern Europe - General    4. Grammar, Comparative    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Linguistics    9. Slavic Languages    10. Slovakia    11. Ukrainian    12. Dialectology    13. History / Europe / Eastern    14. Slavic (Slavonic) languages    15. Sociolinguistics   

Subjects:  1. Ethnic relations    2. History    3. History Of Jews    4. History: American    5. Jews    6. Non-Classifiable    7. Nonfiction - General    8. Race And Ethnic Relations    9. Ukraine   

Reviews (1)

Review by Janice Huber Stangl, Sterling, Virginia, author of the book, Marienberg: Fate of a Village.
Review by Janice Huber Stangl, Sterling, Virginia, author of the book, Marienberg: Fate of a Village.
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Subjects:  1. Bessarabia (Moldova and Ukraine)    2. Directories    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. Europe - Eastern    5. Genealogy    6. History    7. History / Europe / Eastern    8. Reference    9. Reference / Directories    10. Reference / Genealogy    11. Russian Germans    12. Social Science    13. Social Science / Emigration & Immigration   

Reviews (1)

This book is a must to understanding the Ukrainian psyche.
This book is a catalog of the 1983 exhibition of the Harvard College Library, the Ukrainian Research Institute, and the Ukrainian Studies Fund of Harvard University which marked the 50th anniversary of the UkrainianFamine of 1932-1933.As such, the book is more pictures than words, butthey present a powerful case against not only the Stalinist regime, butagainst Stalin himself in only eighty-some pages.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Catalogs    3. Exhibition Catalogs    4. Exhibitions    5. Famine, 1932-1933    6. Famines    7. General    8. History    9. History - General History    10. Sources    11. Ukraine    12. History / Former Soviet Republics    13. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides    14. Social issues