Top 10 Books to Read about Russia
20.05.2021
// Russian language
So, you want to read about Russia?
Great, because Russia-related books happen to be the one thing that I could talk about all day long without getting bored. I picked up my first “Russia book” when I was 15 years old, and haven’t stopped since.
Great, because Russia-related books happen to be the one thing that I could talk about all day long without getting bored. I picked up my first “Russia book” when I was 15 years old, and haven’t stopped since.
*Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are my own and in no way represent
those of Zlatoust School.
My personal bookshelf is bursting with 50+ titles detailing everything from Russian culture, to politics, history, travel, and more. While some of my favorites actually include biographies of Russian historians and politicians, I’ve decided to curate a list of books that will help you better understand Russia as a country and culture.
While I’m sure there are people who would disagree with some of these titles, they are my personal opinion, and I hope you can find some new reads on here!
1. Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia - Orlando Figes
Natasha's Dance is one of the few books on pre-Soviet Russia that I can recommend wholeheartedly. Figes has a well-respected British historian and his expertise is rivaled only by his ability to transform a tricky topic into an exceptional exemplar of Russia’s rich cultural history.
2. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman - Robert K. Massie
Well-loved and with good reason, Massie's work on Catherine the Great does a great job of painting a bold picture of a woman who is shrouded by stereotypes. If you want to take a deep dive into the life of the woman who helped make Russia what it is today—you won’t be sorry with this one.
3. The Romanovs: 1613-1918 - Simon Sebag Montefiore
I have yet to find a single work that better condenses the massive and eventful history of the Romanov Dynasty. Montefiore has a few other books on Russia, but this one is definitely my favorite.
4. The Empire Must Die: Russia's Revolutionary Collapse, 1900-1917 - Mikhail Zygar
When I think of Zygar, I immediately think of his political works and positions. But he showed another side to him with what is my favorite Soviet history book. No other has so well-balanced narrative with information, and if you want untangle the many characters behind the 1917 revolution, then this book is for you.
5. Russia in Flames: War, Revolution, and Civil War, 1914-1921 - Laura Engelstein
Dense but more factual, I recognize the value of this book even if it wasn’t the most “readable” in my opinion. Well paired as a “sequel” to the #4 on this list from Zygar, if you’re feeling especially ambitious to learn about Soviet history.
6. Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey into the Heart of Russia - David Greene
Delightful, heart-breaking, and inspiring, Greene’s book was one of the first I’d ever read about Russia, when I was just 16 years old. His book details his trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the people he met along the way. Few English-language books have provided such an accurate and clear depiction of the human side of Siberia and beyond. This is one of the few books for which 5 stars is not nearly enough.
7. The Invention of Russia - Arkady Ostrovsky
The Invention of Russia happens to be my all-time favorite book about Russia. Rarely does a work contain so much detail yet keep my attention from cover-to-cover—but Ostrovsky definitely did this.
8. Nothing is True and Everything is Possible - Peter Pomerantsev
Did you know that this was the first book that I ever read about Russia? I was just 15 years old at the time, but it’s had me coming back for more since then. For any reader seeking to learn more about contemporary Russia, this book is my #1 recommendation. Short, bold, and biting, this little book will crack open the tumultuous period that is the 90s. The fall of the Soviet Union was not all daisies and democracy, and Soviet-born British journalist Pomerantsev will share why.
9. The Anna Karenina Fix: Life Lessons from Russian Literature by Viv Groskop
This book had me sitting in shock at how much I could relate to Groskop’s feelings and experiences studying, living, and working in Russia. And if you’re a foreigner in the same spot, then this is a must-read. Refreshing and funny, Groskop’s feel-good read can actually be found in both English and Russian, under the name “Саморазвитие по Толстому: Жизненные уроки из 11 произведений русских классиков”.
10. From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia - Michael McFaul
I’ll let you in on a little secret—I am obsessed with international relations and Russian foreign policy. So, you can only imagine my excitement when McFaul, the first non-career diplomat to be appointed as U.S. ambassador to Russia, released this novel in 2018. And he didn’t disappoint! Although, how could any book written about the post-Cold-War relationship of the U.S. and Russia be anything less than riveting?
Honorable mentions: The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia by Masha Gessen and October: The Story of the Russian Revolution by China Mieville. Though controversial, Gessen’s book is well-written and can help provide insight into a unique perspective on contemporary Russian politics, and October is one a great take on the Russian revolution from sci-fi writer Mieville.
those of Zlatoust School.
My personal bookshelf is bursting with 50+ titles detailing everything from Russian culture, to politics, history, travel, and more. While some of my favorites actually include biographies of Russian historians and politicians, I’ve decided to curate a list of books that will help you better understand Russia as a country and culture.
While I’m sure there are people who would disagree with some of these titles, they are my personal opinion, and I hope you can find some new reads on here!
1. Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia - Orlando Figes
Natasha's Dance is one of the few books on pre-Soviet Russia that I can recommend wholeheartedly. Figes has a well-respected British historian and his expertise is rivaled only by his ability to transform a tricky topic into an exceptional exemplar of Russia’s rich cultural history.
2. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman - Robert K. Massie
Well-loved and with good reason, Massie's work on Catherine the Great does a great job of painting a bold picture of a woman who is shrouded by stereotypes. If you want to take a deep dive into the life of the woman who helped make Russia what it is today—you won’t be sorry with this one.
3. The Romanovs: 1613-1918 - Simon Sebag Montefiore
I have yet to find a single work that better condenses the massive and eventful history of the Romanov Dynasty. Montefiore has a few other books on Russia, but this one is definitely my favorite.
4. The Empire Must Die: Russia's Revolutionary Collapse, 1900-1917 - Mikhail Zygar
When I think of Zygar, I immediately think of his political works and positions. But he showed another side to him with what is my favorite Soviet history book. No other has so well-balanced narrative with information, and if you want untangle the many characters behind the 1917 revolution, then this book is for you.
5. Russia in Flames: War, Revolution, and Civil War, 1914-1921 - Laura Engelstein
Dense but more factual, I recognize the value of this book even if it wasn’t the most “readable” in my opinion. Well paired as a “sequel” to the #4 on this list from Zygar, if you’re feeling especially ambitious to learn about Soviet history.
6. Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey into the Heart of Russia - David Greene
Delightful, heart-breaking, and inspiring, Greene’s book was one of the first I’d ever read about Russia, when I was just 16 years old. His book details his trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the people he met along the way. Few English-language books have provided such an accurate and clear depiction of the human side of Siberia and beyond. This is one of the few books for which 5 stars is not nearly enough.
7. The Invention of Russia - Arkady Ostrovsky
The Invention of Russia happens to be my all-time favorite book about Russia. Rarely does a work contain so much detail yet keep my attention from cover-to-cover—but Ostrovsky definitely did this.
8. Nothing is True and Everything is Possible - Peter Pomerantsev
Did you know that this was the first book that I ever read about Russia? I was just 15 years old at the time, but it’s had me coming back for more since then. For any reader seeking to learn more about contemporary Russia, this book is my #1 recommendation. Short, bold, and biting, this little book will crack open the tumultuous period that is the 90s. The fall of the Soviet Union was not all daisies and democracy, and Soviet-born British journalist Pomerantsev will share why.
9. The Anna Karenina Fix: Life Lessons from Russian Literature by Viv Groskop
This book had me sitting in shock at how much I could relate to Groskop’s feelings and experiences studying, living, and working in Russia. And if you’re a foreigner in the same spot, then this is a must-read. Refreshing and funny, Groskop’s feel-good read can actually be found in both English and Russian, under the name “Саморазвитие по Толстому: Жизненные уроки из 11 произведений русских классиков”.
10. From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia - Michael McFaul
I’ll let you in on a little secret—I am obsessed with international relations and Russian foreign policy. So, you can only imagine my excitement when McFaul, the first non-career diplomat to be appointed as U.S. ambassador to Russia, released this novel in 2018. And he didn’t disappoint! Although, how could any book written about the post-Cold-War relationship of the U.S. and Russia be anything less than riveting?
Honorable mentions: The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia by Masha Gessen and October: The Story of the Russian Revolution by China Mieville. Though controversial, Gessen’s book is well-written and can help provide insight into a unique perspective on contemporary Russian politics, and October is one a great take on the Russian revolution from sci-fi writer Mieville.
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