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30 sats \ 11 replies \ @siggy47 22 Oct \ on: Book review | ‘Russia: Revolution and Civil War 1917-1921’ by Anthony Beevor BooksAndArticles

Thanks for posting. I have such limited knowledge of this history and I want to read more. Maybe I won't pick this book, though, I guess. I'm fascinated by both the bolshevik revolution and the Chinese revolution. Last year I read Mao, The Unknown Story, which was pretty good.

63 sats \ 2 replies \ @Signal312 22 Oct

Have you ever read Wild Swans? She also wrote Mao, The Unknown Story. Wild Swans is the story of the 20th century in China, through the lens of 3 women, grandmother, mother, and daughter. The daughter is the author, Jung Chang.

It's an amazing book, one of my favorites. Chinese history of this period will really stick with you after reading it.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 22 Oct

No, but that sounds like a good one! I'm going to check it out now. I really enjoyed the Mao book. I had no sense of him as a person and I certainly do now.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @carlosfandango OP 22 Oct

Nice recommendation - thank you. I have heard of it but not read it.

43 sats \ 7 replies \ @carlosfandango OP 22 Oct

Thank you - I wouldn’t recommend this one. I really don't know much about the Chinese revolution if I’m honest.

I must admit I find it a fascinating period of history. You could probably just watch the film Nicholas & Alexandria (featuring an amazing turn by Tom Baker as Rasputin) or (my preferred) David Lean’s Dr Zhivago and get a solid feel for the period.

20 sats \ 6 replies \ @siggy47 22 Oct

I got totally into Dr Zhivago movie two years ago. I watched it twice. It's funny, because my parents made me sit through it when I was a kid and I found it unbearable.

43 sats \ 5 replies \ @carlosfandango OP 22 Oct

It’s definitely better watched as an adult - slow burn - quite typical for David Lean.

I hope you followed it with Lawrence of Arabia. And Bridge Over The River Kwai. And maybe the 1946 Great Expectations…

20 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 22 Oct

My father and I watched Bridge Over River Kwai many times before he passed. A family tradition. I just rewatched Lawrence Of Arabia about six months ago. I have not seen the 1946 Great Expectations, but of course loved the book.

43 sats \ 3 replies \ @carlosfandango OP 22 Oct

It’s a very faithful retelling with an Alex Guinness cameo (again) and the wonderful John Mills as Pip. (He must have made Scott of the Antarctic around the same time i’m guessing)

Typical Carlos-Siggy conversation and strayed far, far away from the original topic.