Os melhores 18 livros sobre Russia

The Cherry Orchard (1904) is a poignant reflection on the fading influence of Russia’s nobility at the dawn of a new age of industry and materialism. The play centers on an aristocratic family returning to its ancestral estate, shortly before the property’s sale. Despite proposals to rescue the estate, the family’s impractical and nostalgic romanticism leads to disaster; the family home is sold to a plebeian millionaire intent on cutting down its titular cherry orchard. 

• Fans of classic Russian literature and drama
• History buffs
• Theater lovers unfamiliar with – but curious about – Chekov’s work

The Idiot (1869) follows the naïvely optimistic prince Myshkin as he moves through Russia’s confusing and cynical society, offering a profound discussion on the struggle between idealism and worldly disillusionment.

• Connoisseurs of Russian literature
• Readers interested in philosophy
• Enthusiasts of character-driven narratives

The Communist Manifesto is the result of a meeting of international communists in London. It vividly portrays the first common position of political communism regarding the class struggle between the working class and the capitalist bourgeoisie.

• Anyone who works for someone else
• Anyone who’s wondered why wealth seems to concentrate at the top
• Anyone remotely interested in politics

The Gulag Archipelago (1973) is a literary chronicle of the Soviet work camps known as gulags, which existed between the years 1918–56. Drawing from his own experience as a prisoner, as well as the reports, memoirs and letters of hundreds of others, author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn provides a chilling account of the constant dread and horror of life in the gulags, while also charting the psychology and organization behind the government-sanctioned prison system.

• Students of Soviet history
• Advocates and critics of communism
• Freedom fighters

Chernobyl (2018) documents the 1986 nuclear meltdown that shook the Soviet Union. It is an insightful and meticulously researched work of history, drawing from newly opened archives to shed fresh light on the disaster. Piecing together the entire episode, Plokhy takes us from the fateful minutes before the disaster to the cleanup operation and, finally, the disintegration of the USSR.

• Fans of the HBO miniseries who want to dig deeper
• Those born after the disaster, trying to make sense of its consequences
• Nuclear power plant operators

These blinks give some revolutionary insights into an epoch-making time in Russia’s history. The author presents an oral history of Russia’s transition from Stalinism to capitalism in which she lets people who were there tell their stories. In Secondhand Time (2016), her witnesses tell us what it means to be Russian, then and now. All of them lived through this transitional period, but some did not survive.

• Cultural historians
• People who want to know more about Russia and the Cold War
• Readers curious about the Russian reaction to capitalism

The Future Is History (2017) tackles the complex issue of Russia’s love/hate relationship with democracy. By looking at the lives of a select few, Masha Gessen takes us from the collapse of the Communist Party to deep within the activism of the Putin era – all in an attempt to show us how and why Russia’s modern brand of totalitarianism came about.

• Readers curious about Russian politics
• Students of sociology and world politics
• History buffs

A biography of Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Man Without A Face shines a clear light on one of contemporary history’s more shadowy political figures. The book charts Putin’s almost accidental rise to Russia’s highest office, starting from his benign beginnings in the state secret police. His vindictive personality, overwhelming greed and disdain for democratic norms continue to transform Russia today.

• Anyone interested in Russia’s place in global politics
• Anyone curious about the life of a notorious world leader
• Anyone fighting for accountability and transparency in politics

Putin’s People (2020) is a shocking account of the corruption and political schemes that swirl around Russia’s infamous president, Vladimir Putin, and his close inner circle. The KGB is well-known as the former Soviet Union’s secret police force – but that was far from its only role in the Soviet government and economy. This is the story of how the KGB lost its power, gained it back, and has been exploiting it ever since.

• Fans of political intrigue and international relations
• Students of Russian history and culture
• Anyone curious about the inner workings of Vladimir Putin’s regime

Russian Roulette (2018) relates the results of an investigation by two journalists into the Russian interference in the 2016 American presidential election. These include details on Trump’s business ties to Russia, the Russian connections of his campaign team, the Russian hacking of Democratic institutions, the disinformation campaigns on social media and what Russian intelligence might have gathered to compromise Trump. The blinks also tell how the American intelligence community and the Obama administration reacted to the Russian hacking.

• News junkies interested in the 2016 US presidential election
• Concerned citizens who want to know more about Trump’s ties to Russia
• Students of politics seeking an explanation for why Trump won

Navalny (2021) is an in-depth look at the life and politics of Russian politician Alexei Navalny. This biography details how Navalny rose to prominence and what plans he has for Russia’s future.

• Outsiders seeking to understand life in Russia 
• Political thinkers keen to grasp the concept of power in a post-USSR world
• All those invested in the future of world governance

The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886) tells the compelling story of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking official residing in the comforts of societal norms. The unexpected blow of a terminal illness derails his predictable routine, dragging him into a journey of profound self-reflection. The narrative forces Ivan to confront his mortality head-on, thereby shedding light on universal themes of human existence.

• Readers curious about existentialism
• Fans of Russian literature
• Individuals exploring mortality

The Family Romanov is a gripping non-fiction book that tells the tragic story of the last ruling family of Russia. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Candace Fleming delves into the lives of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their five children, and explores the political and social forces that led to their downfall. It offers a fascinating insight into the final days of the Romanov dynasty and the events that shaped Russian history.

• History enthusiasts interested in the Romanov dynasty and Russian history
• Readers who enjoy biographies and narratives about royal families
• Those curious about the downfall of the last Russian Tsar and his family

The Endless Steppe is a memoir that tells the story of a young girl and her family who are deported to Siberia during World War II. Set against the harsh backdrop of the Siberian wilderness, the book chronicles their struggle for survival and their eventual adaptation to a new way of life. It is a powerful and inspiring tale of resilience and the unbreakable bond of family.

• Readers who enjoy historical memoirs
• Individuals with an interest in learning about World War II from a personal perspective
• Anyone seeking a story of resilience and strength in the face of adversity

"Fathers and Sons" is a novel by Ivan Turgenev that explores the generational divide between fathers and their sons in 19th century Russia. Through the complex relationships and contrasting beliefs of the characters, the book delves into themes of nihilism, tradition, and the changing social and political landscape of the time. It offers a thought-provoking examination of the tensions and misunderstandings that can arise between different generations.

• Readers looking for a timeless classic with deep and complex characters
• Those interested in exploring the themes of love, generational conflict, and intellectualism
• People who appreciate thought-provoking literary works that offer cultural and historical insights

"Notes from the Underground" is a novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky that delves into the inner thoughts and feelings of an unnamed narrator living in 19th-century St. Petersburg. Through a series of fragmented and philosophical musings, the book explores themes of alienation, free will, and the nature of existence, offering a profound and thought-provoking examination of the human condition.

• Readers who enjoy introspective and philosophical literature
• Individuals who are intrigued by human behavior and psychology
• Those who appreciate thought-provoking and deep exploration of the human condition

City of Thieves by David Benioff is a gripping novel set during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. It follows the unlikely friendship between two young men, Lev and Kolya, as they embark on a dangerous quest to find a dozen eggs for a Soviet officer. Filled with humor, suspense, and poignant moments, this book explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.

• Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories set during World War II
• Those with an interest in Russian history and culture
• People who appreciate vivid and engaging storytelling with a mix of humor and intensity

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a classic novel that delves into the complexities of human nature and the societal norms of 19th-century Russia. The story follows Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a kind and innocent man who is considered an 'idiot' due to his naivety. Through Myshkin's interactions with the aristocratic society, the novel explores themes of love, morality, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.

• Readers who enjoy exploring complex characters and their inner struggles

• Those interested in psychological insights and philosophical discussions

• People who appreciate classic literature and timeless themes