04-29-2012, 16:23
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#1
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SF Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 34
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Suggested reading for Russian culture?
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.
Last edited by Scamilton; 04-29-2012 at 16:26.
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Scamilton is offline
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04-29-2012, 17:44
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#2
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RIP Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Ozarks
Posts: 10,072
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The Russian Revolution by Professor Pipes and When the Wall Came Down by Scmeman.
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"There you go, again." Ronald Reagan
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Dusty is offline
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04-29-2012, 19:15
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#3
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ft Benning
Posts: 707
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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!
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"I see that you notice that I wear glasses. Well, it was to be. I've not only grown old and gray, I've become almost blind in the service of my country." - General George Washington
"There are times in your life you'll be required to perform an exceedingly difficult task to the best of your ability, regardless of your perceived capability. Mental toughness is what will carry the day during these times. In other words, you suck it up and do what you have to do." - Razor
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lindy is offline
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04-29-2012, 19:27
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#4
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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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 
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“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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04-30-2012, 00:33
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#5
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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"The Russians are coming,the Russians are coming" by United States Secretary of Defense James Forrestal..
Big Teddy
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I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver
SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney
SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
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greenberetTFS is offline
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08-04-2012, 06:40
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#6
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 162
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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.
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Inflexible Six is offline
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08-06-2012, 14:22
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#7
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SF Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 34
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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.
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Scamilton is offline
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08-07-2012, 14:51
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#8
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 162
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...and learn to hold your vodka 
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Inflexible Six is offline
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08-08-2012, 15:02
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NYC area
Posts: 25
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+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.
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Froggy is offline
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