View Full Version : Suggested reading for Russian culture?
Scamilton
04-29-2012, 16:23
It was suggested to me and my fellow SFAS classmates to begin reading on the culture of the AO we will be assigned to. I can only assume with my language being Russian, that China will also be a very important country to begin reading and understanding.
I have only started looking into Russia for now, and the book that piqued my interest due to it having been written rather recently, positive reviews, and the scope it covers is...
Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando Figes
There were also a couple other books this cadre suggested to us and those are already on the way ("Leadership and Training For The Fight" by MSG Paul Howe and "Masters of Chaos" by Linda Robinson). Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
The Russian Revolution by Professor Pipes and When the Wall Came Down by Scmeman.
Wow, that's a pretty tough assignment! Obviously, immersion is the best way to absorb Russian culture but if reading was a second choice, I would say read:
any translations of Pushkin (realize that some cultural subtleties will be lost)
Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina"
Dostoyevski's "Poor People"
Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago"
Good luck!
Hedrick Smith - The Russians and The New Russians - combined with Luigi Barzini - The Europeans, Hertzberg The Zionist Idea, and Shimoni The Zionist Ideology.
Gutes lesen!
Richard :munchin
greenberetTFS
04-30-2012, 00:33
"The Russians are coming,the Russians are coming" by United States Secretary of Defense James Forrestal..:rolleyes:
Big Teddy :munchin
Inflexible Six
08-04-2012, 06:40
Hedrick Smith's work has been suggested and I concur. The Russians is an excellent introduction to the Russian character and culture. If you're interested at all in the Czarist period--as background--I'd suggest Peter The Great by Robert K. Massie. Good luck to you.
Scamilton
08-06-2012, 14:22
In laws got me a shitload of books for my b-day a couple weeks ago.
-Two A&P coloring books
-"Masters of Chaos" by Linda Robinson
-"Leadership and Training For The Fight" by Ret. MSG Paul Howe
-"The Russian Revolution" by Richard Pipes
-"Natasha's Dance - A Cultural History of Russia" by Orlando Figes
-"Spec Ops - Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare" Adm William McRaven
So... with my Q course date beginning in early November I have PLENTY of books to read. Halfway through "Masters of Chaos" and working on my first A&P coloring book. Figure I'll hit one of the Russian books next.
Thank you for all the recommendations. I will keep this thread in mind for when I am done reading my current set. Most likely won't be until I am done with my training.
Inflexible Six
08-07-2012, 14:51
...and learn to hold your vodka ;)
+1 on the vodka holding. Recommend "Lenin's Tomb" by David Remnick.
Also, if you're coming to 10th SFG(A), I would strongly recommend "The Fate of Africa" by Martin Meredith.