After listening to a podcast where Michael Malice discussed a portion of this book I decided I wanted to read it. I wanted to see how he examined the history of the Soviet Union. I knew the evils of the Soviet Union so was curious as to how he would present the white pill.
This book spans a long period of time so it is a good introductory book for an overview of life in the Soviet Union and a few major events in American and British history.
Malice stresses that the Soviet Union dissolved without major violence even when the experts never thought it was possible. He writes:
“In politics the argument is that power never cedes power without massive war and bloodshed; except in those cases when it does. In which case those in power never had a choice and the whole thing was inevitable the whole time. But those in power always have some kind of choice. That is the definition of power. Having the ability to make choices. Within 10 years the Soviet Union went from being a perpetual world dominating superpower to literal nonexistence.”
Malice outlines the barbaric nature of the Soviet regime using accounts from Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman including the following passage:
“The Bolsheviks often invoked mercilessness and ruthlessness in furthering their aims and Goldman did not at all hold back when it came to spelling out exactly what she saw and exactly why she so condemned it.”
Malice stressed throughout the book the plight of the average Russian citizen. One example is quoted below:
“The Checka took their work quite seriously working in some ways independently of Lenin but not shying away from shedding blood in achieving its goals. The Checka is not a court the head of the Checka publicly stated in 1918. We stand for organized terror. This should be frankly admitted, the Checka is obligated to defend the revolution and conquer the enemy even if its sword does by chance sometimes fall upon the heads of the innocent.”
The Soviet Union was a brutal dictatorship especially in its early years and Malice provides a glimpse into that life.
Overall this was a good read. At times it seemed slightly tangential. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
“What about Roxane?” Alexander asked.
“Your prisoner bride?”
“Such disrespect is worthy of death!”
“There is no possible way that you could love her or that she could truly love you.”
“What gives you the insight to speak so assertively about matters you know nothing about?”
“Daughter of Oxyarthes, the man who surrendered the Iron Gates to you, makes for a very political marriage.”
“Continue,” said Alexander.
“At a feast celebrating your latest victory a number of young women were brought in for entertainment. You spotted one of them whose beauty far surpassed the others and you decided on the spot to marry her once you learned she was the daughter of Oxyarthes. You needed to cement a strong relationship with the local leaders. What better way to do this than through marriage? You didn’t share a common language and never even spoke to each other beforehand. She never was given a choice. So she is your prisoner bride.”
“You have a vague outline of the past. I suppose it is remarkable that you have as much ...
