To Run the World

The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power

By: Sergey Radchenko

Narrated by: Daniel Henning

What would it feel like To Run the World? The Soviet rulers spent the Cold War trying desperately to find out.

In this panoramic new history of the conflict that defined the postwar era, Sergey Radchenko provides an unprecedented deep dive into the psychology of the Kremlin's decision-making. He reveals how the Soviet struggle with the United States and China reflected its irreconcilable ambitions as a self-proclaimed superpower and the leader of global revolution. This tension drove Soviet policies from Stalin's postwar scramble for territory to Khrushchev's reckless overseas adventurism and nuclear brinksmanship, Brezhnev's jockeying for influence in the third world, and Gorbachev's failed attempts to reinvent Moscow's claims to greatness.

Perennial insecurities, delusions of grandeur, and desire for recognition propelled Moscow on a headlong quest for global power, with dire consequences and painful legacies that continue to shape our world.

©2024 Sergey Radchenko (P)2024 Tantor

Thoroughly researched; a landmark

Unique and thoroughly researched by an insightful scholar fluent in three key languages who accessed key archives during a brief window of their availability to researchers. May be a long time before this happens again. Thus I expect this book will becime a landmark, a fundamental voice in our understanding of this subject for years to come.

Excellent history ruined by unprofessional voice actor performance

I can’t believe Tantor allowed this unprofessionally read and edited audiobook to be published. It’s not even an amateurish effort. I’ve listened to plenty of amateur produced podcasts of higher quality. It’s practically unlistenable. I would have stopped listening many times over if the text wasn’t so good.

Changing volume
Cartoonish villain voice for soviets
Melodramatic and disruptive voice acting with strange emphasis

New original research
Detailed and clear insight into the inner workings of the soviet union