Customer Reviews

Red Plenty

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So much has been written about the Soviet Union, and yet so many gaps remain to be filled. Red Plenty does just that: it covers the overlooked interlude that followed the horrors of Stalinism; it examines the cyber-economics that would have enabled the success of central planning; and, it gives a vivid portrait of what it all meant to individual lives. This book defies labelling; it is neither a history text, or an economic treatise or a novel, and yet achieves more than either of those could separately. If you are interested in Russian 20th century history, or in political economy, or simply looking for good reading material, this book is for you. Spufford writes brilliantly, as the rigorously researched factual and fictionalised passages equally attest.
I enjoyed this book throughout, from the introduction to the notes (which are remarkably well written, entertaining and interesting), and am sure you will too.