Red Famine. Stalin's War on Ukraine

The book "Red Famine," winner of the Duff Cooper and Lionel Gelber prizes, delves into the tragic events of 1932-33 when nearly four million Ukrainians perished from starvation, an atrocity orchestrated by depriving them of food. This period stands as one of the most harrowing episodes in twentieth-century history. With unmatched depth and authority, the book explores the circumstances that led to this tragedy, identifies those culpable, and examines the lasting consequences. Drawing on a wealth of archival resources and firsthand accounts, newly accessible after the Soviet Union's fall, alongside research from Ukrainian scholars worldwide, the book offers a comprehensive narrative of these horrific events. It includes personal stories from famine survivors, illustrating the desperation and madness induced by hunger. Additionally, it details how the Soviet regime manipulated propaganda to pit citizens against each other in efforts to eradicate perceived 'anti-revolutionary' elements, while also highlighting those heroic individuals who endeavored to alleviate the widespread suffering.Following the famine, Ukraine's cultural and political leadership suffered attacks, culminating in the denial of the famine's occurrence. Census data was manipulated, and collective memory was forcibly suppressed. Some Western journalists uncritically accepted Soviet propaganda, whereas others resisted, facing great personal risk. The Soviet regime's aim was not only to quash Ukraine's national identity but also to erase its true history, along with millions of its people. "Red Famine" stands as a significant achievement in reclaiming these memories and this slice of history. At a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the book underscores how the past continues to influence present dynamics.