60 pages • 2 hours read
Gulag: A History
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Book Brief
610
Book • Nonfiction
Soviet Union • 20th Century
2003
Doubleday
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Gulag by Anne Applebaum is a comprehensive examination of the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system from its inception in the early 1920s to its dissolution post-World War II. Using archival research and first-person accounts, Applebaum explores the ideological and political roots of the Gulag, the brutal day-to-day realities faced by prisoners, and the system's eventual decline. The book highlights themes of state repression, the intersection of ideology and power, and human resilience. The book discusses forced labor, systemic torture, political repression, physical and psychological suffering, sexual violence, and suicide.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
13,831 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Gulag by Anne Applebaum excels in its thorough research and compelling narrative, offering an exhaustive history of Soviet labor camps. Critics commend its depth and engaging prose but note the extensive detail can be overwhelming. Overall, it's a vital, well-documented account of a dark chapter in history.
Who Should Read Gulag?
Readers fascinated by history, especially Soviet-era studies, will find Anne Applebaum's Gulag captivating. This comprehensive examination of the USSR’s prison camp system appeals to those who enjoyed Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago and Orwell's 1984. Ideal for anyone seeking a profound understanding of oppressive regimes.
13,831 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
The General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, known for his role in establishing and expanding the repressive Gulag system, reflecting the scale and severity of the policies under his rule.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
A Russian author and dissident whose works, such as "The Gulag Archipelago," document his experiences and criticisms of the Soviet penal system, bringing global attention to the realities of life in the Gulag.
Lavrentiy Beria
Lavrentiy Beria
The head of the Soviet secret police, who played a crucial role in mass arrests and the expansion of the Gulag, exemplifying the close ties between political power and systemic violence in the Soviet Union.
Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky
A Soviet dissident and human rights activist whose imprisonment highlighted the Soviet regime's control over its citizens and whose release became a victory for international human rights advocacy.
610
Book • Nonfiction
Soviet Union • 20th Century
2003
Doubleday
Adult
18+ years
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