Alkis Mavridis

Attached PDF is missing

Revisado: 04-16-23

The book starts by saying that there is an attached PDF included. Ther is none. Since we paid tonget this book, this is really bad and unprofessional.
Not sure if it is Audible's fault or the author's, but still, the result is the same.

The content is great.

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Shallow and banal

Revisado: 03-13-23

The book was full of western-style left-wing talking points, even when they were completely irrelevant to Russia's affairs.

For example: Donald Trump is a chauvinist and has a terrible sense of taste. Now, I have no sympathy at all for the orange guy, but how on Earth is this relevant to anything regarding Russia?
Then we had the typical "social-justice" talking points on every second chapter. Even laughable clichés such as "the world is a huge prison for women who get penalised for not wearing makeup."

There is nothing wrong with writing a commentary on Western Partisan politics and culture wars. There is definitely a space for that. But when one does this in a book about Russia, I start thinking:
1. How is this relevant in any way? If I wanted a book by Kamala Harris, I could have chosen that. Here, I wanted an objective view of Russian affairs.

2. How can I trust the author's objectivity on Russia's topics when I see such political bias on the western front?

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

It captured the essence of all history

Revisado: 11-24-22

It is so hard to achieve that. Where to even start?
Looking at a vast ocean of information, historical events, civilisations, economic and political systems, how can you extract the essential patterns that really matter? And yet, the author managed to do it.

Inspiring, informative, attention capturing.

The only place where he lost me a bit was chapter 8, for example when it came into the sex differences. He moved a bit too far into the social constructivist trend - at least for my taste. There were many more facts that could be considered but were not.

Still, even that chapter was inspiring and thought-provoking.

I would suggest this book to everyone.

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A guide to a healthy Critiscism and healthy Pride

Revisado: 05-01-22

The title was a bit click-baity for my taste and generally speaking, books with clickbaity titles tend to be superficial. This is definitely not the case for this book. Its style is extremely balanced, its points greatly articulated and its analysis careful and charitable.

I hope that this book will have 2 effects:
Healthier criticism of the west and healthier admiration of the west. Here is what I mean by that.

1. Healthier criticism. I hope that critiques of the west will realize how different is the standard they use to judge the west, compared to the standard they use to judge everyone else. How this double standard leads them to exaggerated claims, unfair conclusions and nihilistic attitudes. That if we applied the same standards and attitudes to any other culture, we would immediately identify this as bad faith biggotry. This book serves as a antidote to that - it offers a way through which one can still critique the west, but do so fairly, constructively, and justly.

2. The effect of this book to people who are positive towards the west, or even to the average western citizen. I hope people who read this book will stop being apologetic or ashamed of being western. That they develop a healthy sense of pride and gratitude for their civilization. A sense of self-respect to say the least.
This book reveals the way to such healthy attitudes of gratitude and pride. A form of gratitude and pride that is not based on superficial, close-minded superiority complex. One that is inclusive to people of all races and descents, as long as they believe in and aspire the values of the west. One that does not ignore nor take lightly the evils that the west has done or is capable of. One that makes clear that the greatness of the west is based on its openness and ability to learn from the wisdom of other cultures.
This book makes it clear that being a proud westerner is not the same as being a racist biggot. Our discourse equated these two for too long. It is time to reclaim our belief in our civilization and develop a healthy sense of pride for it.

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An intelligent analysis based on lived experiences

Revisado: 11-09-21

A very modest and moderate voice. She identities the problems and suggests solutions. Very interesting read. I would suggest it to every moderate Muslim, ex Muslim, or person interested in Islam and its relationship with the rest of the world.

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