Books
-
Philosophy of History in “War and Peace”
Leo Tolstoy’s monumental work, “War and Peace,” is not only a sweeping historical novel but also a profound exploration of the philosophy of history. Through its intricate narrative, rich character development, and thought-provoking meditations, Tolstoy delves into questions about the nature of historical events, the role of individuals in shaping history, and the interplay between… Continue reading
-
Proust against Sainte-Beuve
In the vast landscape of literary criticism, few controversies have captured the imagination of scholars and readers alike as intensely as the clash between Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve and Marcel Proust. These two renowned figures, separated by generations but united by their pursuit of understanding literature, engaged in a bitter dispute that fundamentally challenged traditional notions of… Continue reading
-
36 books that made the Western Canon
The Western Canon is a collection of literature, philosophy, and other works that have influenced the Western world’s culture, values, and ideas. Non-fiction works have played a crucial role in shaping the Western Canon, providing a window into the ideas, events, and people that have shaped our society. Here are 36 non-fiction books that have… Continue reading
-
The Heartland Theory by Halford Mackinder
The Heartland Theory, proposed by Halford Mackinder in the early 20th century, is a geopolitical concept that has shaped the way we understand the global power dynamics of the Eurasian continent. Mackinder’s theory, also known as the “pivot area” theory, suggests that the region at the heart of Eurasia, which he referred to as the… Continue reading
-
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
The Book of Tea, written by Kakuzo Okakura, is a literary masterpiece that delves into the rich and intricate world of Japanese tea culture. Originally published in 1906, this classic work provides readers with a profound understanding of tea as more than just a beverage, but as a philosophy, an art form, and a way… Continue reading
-
The 10 best books about the East and the West
Here a very subjective list of most interesting books on the East and the West that you can easily find today. For Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists and their Enemies, by Prof. Robert Irwin: A story of Oriental studies The Silk Roads, by Prof. Peter Frankopan, “a new history of the world”, like the subtitle… Continue reading
-
“The spectre of a scary Russia is a part of Western culture” – interview with Cambridge Prof. Mark B. Smith
Mark B. Smith is Professor of History at Cambridge, and specializes in the history of the Soviet Union. He runs the blog beyondthekremlin.com. His most recent book is called The Russia Anxiety: And History Can Resolve It and was published by Allen Lane/Penguin in 2019. You can find the book on Amazon here. East &… Continue reading
-
Timothy Snyder’s “The Road to Unfreedom” – book review
Timothy Snyder’s book “The Road to Unfreedom” is, in many respects, extraordinary. The problem is, it might be so for all the wrong reasons. The central purpose of the book is to sound a warning call to all people in the West, or like the description says: “The past in another country, the old saying goes.… Continue reading
-
“I have no idea what the terms East and West mean”, interview with Prof. Peter Frankopan
Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Worcester College, University of Oxford. His latest book is “The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World”, published by Bloomsbury. The New Silk Roads on amazon.com and on amazon.co.uk. East&West: When the Cold War ended, people thought the whole world was going to become… Continue reading
-
Book review: “Collusion: How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win The White House”
Luke Harding’s latest book “Collusion: how Russia helped Trump win the White House” purports to be the definitive account of Russiagate Continue reading
-
Book review: “The Age of Anger” by Pankaj Mishra
I will tell you straight away: for those like me who feel that the nineteenth century is unsurpassed Continue reading
-
Russia and Turkey: Restless Partners? Interview with Russian expert Ivan Starodubtsev
Ivan Starodubtsev is a well-known Russian political scientist, businessman and expert on Turkey, and has lived and worked in this country for a long time. His name, as a specialist in Turkey, is often found on the pages of the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, and he is a regular guest on the program “From Two to… Continue reading
-
Россия и Турция – беспокойные соседи? Интервью с Иваном Стародубцевым
Иван Стародубцев – известный политолог, бизнесмен и главный эксперт по Турции в России, долгое время живший и работавший в этой стране. Его имя, как специалиста по Турции, часто встречается на страницах газет «Московский комсомолец», звучит в эфирах передачи «От двух до пяти» на радиостанции «Вести ФМ» и на центральных телеканалах. Continue reading
-
10 books to understand the world today
Everyone likes to be informed and up-to-date. In the age of the incessant news feed, people feel cut off from the world if they don’t consume news Continue reading
-
Letter to Harvard Prof. Serhii Plokhy
Dear Prof. Plokhy, I am reading your latest book on the history of Ukraine. It is not the first book I read on the subject and it will probably not be the last one. I hold the institution of Harvard, where you happen to teach, in very high esteem Continue reading
-
The tyranny of coolness – or not? Book review: 111 reasons to hate Berlin
Everybody loves Berlin. Especially if you are a cool person you just have to love Berlin, it is young, dynamic, creative, sexy, well, you know the list. Yes, everybody loves Berlin, except Kristjan Knall. Kristjan Knall does not love Berlin, in particular he does not love the Berliners, in particular the hipsters (this subspecies of… Continue reading
EAST AND WEST 