The Soviet Colossus: History and Aftermath

Bravo Mr. Kort! This was a delightful book to read. This book is accessible to everyone without it having been watered down. The sentences are clear and elegant; I was able to read effortlessly throughout the whole text. I did not detect any biases from the author and he seemed fair and accurate all the way through. Factually, the book is in sync with other books with related or similar subjects that I have happened to read. I bought a copy of the 5th edition (2001) and I wonder if it is still being updated. The story is riveting. Michael Kort rendered a masterpiece with this book.

i bought this book for a class (minored in Russian History), and this book is more than a standard history text book. point-by-point the motivation for the establishment of the Soviet Union is outlined with complete objectivity and very little 20-20 hindsight criticism. Kort explores every facet of the transition from complete autocracy to socialist society with great detail throughout every era from Stalin's failed 5-year plans to Gorbachev's perestroika which actually ended the existance of the USSR. even for the casual history buff this is a great guide and insightful read.

Like probably everyone who has read this, I bought it for a class. However, this book is unlike every other textbook I've read, in that it's actually *fun* to read. I'd probably have read it on my own had I known about it before.

I had to read this for a class that was taught by Kort himself. The book covers a lot of Russian history from the last days of the czars to Yeltsin. If you ever want to know some general history about Russia, then read this book.