The Bloodlands provides a comprehensive overview of the European region between Hitler and Stalin, which experienced some of the most brutal atrocities in world history. Timothy Snyder draws on newly accessible archives to provide a riveting account of what took place there, exploring topics such as the Soviet Union’s forced famine in Ukraine, Nazi Germany’s genocide against Jews and Romani people, and Stalin’s Great Terror.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for the general reader who wants to learn about one of the most brutal periods in European history. Snyder provides a detailed, yet easy-to-read account of what took place in the Bloodlands and its aftermath.
Pros :
- Provides a comprehensive overview of the European region between Hitler and Stalin
- Draws on newly accessible archives to provide a riveting account of what took place there
- Explores topics such as the Soviet Union’s forced famine in Ukraine, Nazi Germany’s genocide against Jews and Romani people, and Stalin’s Great Terror.
Cons :
- It is dense and can be dry at times.
- It does not shy away from the gruesome details of atrocities committed during this time period.
- It provides a much needed historical perspective on this often overlooked region of the world.
Learn more about the author
Timothy Snyder is the Housum Professor of History at Yale University. He is a specialist in Eastern European and Holocaust history, and has written extensively on modern European intellectual and political history.
Reader Reviews
“Snyder has crafted an absorbing and chilling history of the bloodiest years in Europe’s past. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the twentieth century.”
“In Bloodlands, Timothy Snyder has written one of the most important books of our time.”
“Snyder’s book is a masterpiece of historical writing. It offers readers an extraordinarily rich, densely textured and well-argued account of the murderous violence that took place in Europe between Hitler and Stalin.”
“A deeply disturbing, but profoundly important book.”
