The book opens with the Ukrainian famine which resulted in 3.3 million deaths (Snyder, 411). Snyder presents the reasoning behind the man made famine was a punishment of failed collectivization (Snyder, 33 42-44, 411). He next moves on to the deliberate …show more content…
Snyder focuses not only on the statistics but also personal testimony from citizens from this time period. This is especially successful as he creates a deeply moving story as he brings a human quality back to the narrative (Ahonen, 6). This combination creates an accessible and easy read for academics and the general public alike. From this, Snyder’s arguments can reach a broader audience as it is geared towards encouraging further research but also general awareness for the mass