Book cover of Russia's War

Book description

In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russian forces attacked Ukraine. The brutality of the Russian assault has horrified the world. But Russians themselves appear to be watching an entirely different war - one in which they are the courageous underdogs and kind-hearted heroes successfully battling a malign Ukrainian…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Russia's War as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Like it or not, the Russian “special operation” in Ukraine is going to affect our lives for years to come. But you can’t help wondering what ordinary Russians think about the war. Do they buy the official line about Ukraine being a non-country populated by Nazis that deserve to be wiped off the map? Do they think that Putin is off his head but are (with reason) too afraid to say so?  

British scholar Jade McGlynn explores Russian history, media, and propaganda and shows how the Kremlin has managed to subvert public opinion and turned Putin’s war into Russia’s war.…

Another question I permanently get asked as a professional Russia-watcher is what Russia’s own population really thinks about its war on Ukraine and the atrocities committed there.

Surely, people think, if only ordinary Russians knew the truth about what their troops are doing in this unprovoked war of aggression – and how many of them are dying alongside innocent Ukrainian civilians and children – they would turn against the war. That’s why Jade McGlynn’s Russia’s War is such an important book.

Jade spent years researching Russian propaganda, its twisting of history, and the effect on what Russians think – and…

From Keir's list on why Russia is the way it is.

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