Marci Shore

The author self declares the book to be about the Maidan Revolution and the war in the Donbas. The book is composed of conversations with people who were present at Maidan in 2013-14. The conversations with these people engrossing, terrifying, enervating, and the sense of being there physically is palpable. The revolution on the Maidan was livestreamed on Youtube with Maidan supporters sending messages on Facebook and Twitter to supporters. To understand all the permutations of Maidan, one must read this book. The author conversed or corresponded with over 30 people who were physically present at Maidan on multiple occasions and not a one states a word about Americans funding Maidan (as has been claimed by pro Russians.) This book is the best narrative I’ve read of the events of 2013-2014 on the Maidan… (more)

Although some insights can be gleaned about the " Afterlife of Totalitarianism in Eastern Europe" ( the sub-title), there is no coherent narrative. Some anecdotes are interesting but the morass of names and stories fail to speak to any overarching cogent theme. It is more of a travel book consisting of the author's experiences rather than a historical analysis.
Disappointing because post-communist Europe is a worthy topic that needs comprehensive treatment, but this book fails to achieve that.… (more)

In the 20th century, few groups have endured the abrupt changes in fate of Polish Jews. Once allied with communists and supportive of their egalitarian vision, they found themselves, post-World War II, turned against and often outed as traitors. What is the real identity, the true legacy of these partisans? What simmering anger lies beneath decades of history? Shore, an academic, frames these stories in a personal timeline, retelling what she learns in the order she learns it. Little is at it appears on the surface, she learns. A tough read, but a valuable one. Highly recommended. (144)… (more)