49 pages • 1 hour read
Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin
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Book Brief
592
Book • Nonfiction
Eastern Europe • 1930s-1940s
2010
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, Timothy Snyder examines the mass killings and pogroms committed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union before and during World War II, focusing on the region he calls the "Bloodlands"—extending from central Poland to western Russia, through Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic States—where approximately 14 million non-combatants perished due to the totalitarian ambitions of Hitler and Stalin.
Dark
Informative
Unnerving
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
20,466 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Timothy Snyder’s Bloodlands receives acclaim for its rigorous research and compelling narrative, depicting the tragic history of Eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin. Critics praise its depth and clarity, though some argue it can be overly grim and dense. Overall, it is valued for its insightful contribution to understanding mid-20th-century atrocities.
Who Should Read Bloodlands?
A reader who would enjoy Bloodlands by Timothy Snyder is someone deeply interested in 20th-century European history, particularly the brutal regimes of Hitler and Stalin. Fans of Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism and Anne Applebaum's Gulag will find this meticulously researched and gripping narrative compelling.
20,466 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
The Führer of Nazi Germany, responsible for initiating the invasions and policies that led to widespread devastation and genocide in the Bloodlands. His pursuit of a racially purified empire resulted in extensive loss of life and is central to the understanding of the period's atrocities.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
The General Secretary of the Soviet Union, whose rule was marked by mass terror, famines, and purges contributing to the human toll in the Bloodlands. His policies and authoritarian regime significantly influenced the region's history and violence.
592
Book • Nonfiction
Eastern Europe • 1930s-1940s
2010
Adult
18+ years
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