Guide to War Literature: Understanding Russia for the Non-Expert
In the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, sparked by Russia's invasion in February 2022, there is a growing need for nonexperts to gain a deeper understanding of Russia as a strategic actor. John Amble, the editorial director of the website at West Point, has recommended several books that offer valuable insights into Russia's historical, political, and strategic culture.
One such book is "Russia's War" by Jade McGlynn, which explores how Russians perceive their own conflicts, portraying their forces as heroes and underdogs fighting to protect Russia and its values against a decadent and aggressive West. Another book, "Red Army" by Ralph Peters, provides a glimpse into key elements of Soviet military culture that are still present in the Russian Army today.
For those interested in understanding the rise and manipulation of power by Vladimir Putin, "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton offers compelling insights. This book delves into Putin's relationship with the Russian elite and how he has used this relationship to solidify his rule.
For a comprehensive overview of Russia's history, "A Short History of Russia" by Mark Galeotti is a concise yet informative read, covering over a thousand years of Russian history in less than two hundred pages. "The Soviet Tragedy" by Martin Malia and "Russia and the West" by Timothy Snyder are also valuable resources, offering perspectives on the political and strategic cultures that have shaped modern Russia.
Lastly, "Day of the Oprichnik" by Vladimir Sorokin is a near-future Russia novel that imagines a small corps reestablished to do the country's leader's bidding and counter any threat to his rule. This book serves as a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of authoritarian rule.
It is important to note that the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
For more specific recommendations from John Amble, one might look for interviews, articles, or talks by him that directly address book recommendations on understanding Russia as a strategic actor.
- The book "Russia's War" by Jade McGlynn delves into how Russians perceive their own conflicts, portraying their forces as heroes and underdogs fighting to protect Russia and its values against a decadent and aggressive West.
- For a glimpse into key elements of Soviet military culture that are still present in the Russian Army today, the book "Red Army" by Ralph Peters is recommended.
- For those interested in understanding the rise and manipulation of power by Vladimir Putin, "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton offers compelling insights into Putin's relationship with the Russian elite and his rule.
- Mark Galeotti's book "A Short History of Russia" provides a concise yet informative overview of Russian history, covering over a thousand years in less than two hundred pages.
- In the realm of entertainment, "Day of the Oprichnik" by Vladimir Sorokin is a near-future Russia novel serving as a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of authoritarian rule.
