I’m a Ukrainian American. There is no leftist agenda here. Snyder’s series is just an accurate account of Ukraine’s journey and struggle to wrest itself from the soon-to-be-ending Russian empire.
i’m enjoying this podcast very much. i’ve enjoyed it even more ever since i started listening at 0.75 speed. snyder speaks at a million miles a minute so it’s nice to slow it down to a more digestible speed.
First, learn history. Next, strive for liberation. Finally, achieve personal freedom. This is the path towards Enlightenment.
There is only a “left” bias to those who have preconceived notions/guided by ideology. This is non-ideological. Granted, most reviews claiming “left” bias are actual troll accounts meant to prevent some from tuning in. At most, a “left” bias exist for a Nationalistic Russian who wishes for the unity of the Slavic speaking world into one Empire. I appreciate the vast historical knowledge being shared. I hope to find a similar course on the history of the many diverse people (nations) living within the confines of CCP China.
Thank you for the podcast which offers an enjoyable education in Ukrainian history. Books from professor Snyder’s reading list are very helpful and fascinating.
Just in to Episode 2 and I can’t let such this error just stand unaddressed. The Bible in no way ever suggests in any way that the original innocence and goodness of man’s condition was ruined by someone other than himself. Please read Genesis, or even just its first several chapters, to see that. Otherwise, carry on and thank you so much for educating me on this region’s history!
Lots of interesting material here, but it’s best to use these lectures as a way to learn what you want to explore later in depth. Snyder at times talks so fast he stumbles over his words, and flies from topic to topic. He also grows more openly leftist as the series develops. But he has a wealth of knowledge, and a good sense of humor. I’d give this a higher rating if he would lighten up on the bias, and slow down to at least a gallop.
Thank you Dr. Snyder and Yale for making this freely available! In a world dominated by trivial sound bites and or purposeful disinformation it is truly imperative that there is a widely available source of historical facts to provide a broader context for those who wish to really understand what is happening in Ukraine and why we should be supporting their struggle for a free and independent future. I watched this already on YouTube but having an audio version in this form will allow me to conveniently revisit the material and share with others. Thanks again for this incredible resource.
We owe Timothy Snyder a debt of gratitude for making the knowledge and depth of insight he brings to his Yale classes available to the rest of us. I have been following the YouTube videos for some time now, pausing frequently to replay and think about its revelations. It’s an additional gift that specific reading assignments for each lecture are now available in the podcast summaries. This is an astounding banquet of ideas and facts and the notes make it all the more nourishing.
Thank you for making this a podcast too! I was having a hard time watching all the videos. Now I can listen only. Brilliant series which I am so grateful for.
Thorough and articulate, Snyder offers an in depth analysis of a fascinating region and the people’s who have called it home over the past ~1000 years. This series provides the historical context essential to understanding the current conflict and what a path toward peace will look like. The free availability of these presentations, which represent lifetimes of research, speaks loudly to Snyder’s integrity and generosity of spirit. Academia is not dead.
I started watching on YouTube, but a podcast is better because I can listen whenever and wherever I want.
I’m just starting lecture 4, and learning so much. I actually found out about this course from someone in the comments section of “The Dispatch,” while we were lamenting the lack of historical knowledge on Ukraine. I wish I had a way of finding that person and thanking him for this recommendation.
Thank you!
Please do also support UNITED24. Ukraine needs our help! I am surely not alone gratefully to make a gift in honor of Timothy Snyder as a way to thank him for these wonderful lectures. — Joe F.
Many thanks for the decision to make these lectures publicly available. I learned so much about the history of the surrounding regions, how nations come into existence, and how the history that most of us in the west are taught is sorely lacking. Thanks to a remark by Prof. Snyder, I also just made my first contribution to Razom. Enjoy the series!
This is a lot of information and I can’t say I’m memorizing it all, but Professor Snyder dies a great job of highlighting themes and patterns that are important. This is a treasure for anyone supporting Ukraine or confused by russia’s war. Professor Snyder is a hero of our time politically and morally. Слава Україні!
This course about Ukraine is so good, and so important to understand today. Prof. Snyder is a knowledgeable, compelling, humane presenter. Highly, highly recommend.
I anxiously await each class and so appreciate the widened perspective I have gained and a greater ability to recognize patterns through knowledge of history.đź’›
