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.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
The Mount of Forty Springs, Zagros Mountains, Iran Saturday 11:30 PM
By the dim light of torches seven hooded figures made their ascent up the nearly invisible path. Thirty minutes had passed since they began hiking off the established trail. A person who had never traveled this path would not have been able to find it.
These men were not making their first journey. Each had traveled this path as part of a group and individually. Even without the torches each man would find the destination without difficulty. Some things could never be forgotten.
In silence they made their final steps. Amidst the juniper and oak trees stood a single cedar tree. They had arrived at their destination. Concealed amidst the undergrowth was a small cave. Sliding a large bolder away from the back of the cave revealed a secret stairwell.
The men could not be completely at ease yet, but the most physically demanding portion of their journey was over. From this point things would be more psychologically challenging and each man would handle those struggles...
