Gulag: A History of the Soviet Camps - Anne Applebaum

A very challenging book not for the faint hearted. I am an avid reader of similar books, (prison accounts, WWII Camps) and rushed out to buy as soon as available. I noticed after only a couple of chapters that i was having to look back and cross reference facts and figures , due to the sheer volume of information it contained. Allthough not a major drawback i did find it took a little enjoyment from the read. A suitable reading environment is essential, i read many books on journeys, but found that this was only a book suitable for solitary contemplation, as any slight distractions made it ... more

Applebaum's book: Gulag: A History, is a book covering the entire Soviet development of these concentration camps and follows the effect on the Soviet citizens that were under Stalin's Terror. Applebaum has an entertaining style of writing and utilizes many private memoirs to support her views and observation that are made on these camps. Her attention to detail amazes the reader as she delves not only into the overall death estimates, but also speaks of how these camps were formatted to support the industrialising Soviet economy. The book itself is a large collection of Applebaum's findings ... more