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Russia: The Wild East
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Series
- Narrated by: Martin Sixsmith
- Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins
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Russia: The Wild East
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Summary
Power struggles have a constant presence in Martin Sixsmith's story of Russia. Collected here in 50 episodes, he chronicles the Mongol hordes invading in the 13th century, through the iron autocratic fists of successive tsars, to the fall of the Soviet Union and Russia's re-emergence as a superpower.
Ivan the Terrible, Catherine the Great, Peter the Great - all left their mark on a nation that pursued expansion to the East, West and South. Many tsars flirted with reform, but the gap between the rulers and the ruled widened until, in 1917, the doomed last tsar, Nicholas II, abdicated. After the whirlwind of the revolution, the Bolsheviks struggled to consolidate their victory. To rescue the economy and save the regime, Lenin made concessions to the people. But after his death, Stalin introduced forced collectivisation and industrialisation, condemning the Soviet people to conditions worse than those experienced under the tsars. Nikita Khrushchev reversed the worst excesses of Stalinism, and in 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev embarked on radical reforms of the communist system - unleashing unforeseen consequences that swept him from power and destroyed the USSR.
Martin Sixsmith brings his first-hand experience of reporting from Russia in the 1980s and 90s to his narrative, witnessing the critical moment when the Soviet Union lost its grip on power. He asks if the recurring patterns of Russian history can help us understand what has happened since 1991, when the promise of Western-style democracy aroused so many hopes for change. Eyewitness accounts, archive recordings and personal testimony enrich his narrative, as well as readings from Russian authors and historians such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Vasily Grossman, plus music by Stravinsky, Prokofiev and others.
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What listeners say about Russia: The Wild East
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 07-08-22
Accurate and informed
Martin Sixsmith's book about Russian history is an insider's story. highly recommend to everyone one
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- E. Popescu
- 23-01-23
Great stuff
An unusual "audiobook", as it was made for radio. There won't be a lot of detail, but it's a highly entertaining production.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. R. Jarmain
- 15-09-19
A masterly history lesson! Absolutely riveting.
I loved this. The history is fascinating and the presentation faultless. I was sorry to reach the end. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-01-23
A radio documentary of high quality
A fascinating deep dive into Russian history by the knowledgeable Martin Sixsmith, who provides an insight into the development of he nation and its people.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Juliet
- 08-12-19
Fabulous insight into the idiosyncrasies of Russia
Fabulous insight into the idiosyncrasies of Russia in comparison to Western development. A considered and educational work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 23-01-22
A glimpse through muddy waters.
Never studied Russia beyond Peter the Great. Have read a bit but struggled to understand how and why. Amazed by it's literature and music. This edition has gone a long way to introduce some understanding. Very good, recommend. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-03-19
a Russian epic
loved it! would go back and reread it; a must for any one who.wants a brief introduction the Russian history.
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- Andrew UK
- 20-03-22
fascinating, very listenablenand very relevant
very relevant in 2022.
outlines events in Russia's history that we see being repeated today
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-08-17
fantastic
this is a comprehensive personal history illustrated with clips of music, film soundtracks and bbc news reporting. it was originally on bbc radio 4 in 15 minute parts. each part on this version is introduced so that you know exactly where you are.
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10 people found this helpful
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- Kenneth
- 04-11-18
Like a quick reference and a roller coaster ride
Compelling. Take this ride before reading the usual, dryly presented, pedestrian, historical reference book alternatives.
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2 people found this helpful