 |
Cross Word BooksAuthor: Michele McAloon
mysteryhints@gmail.comListen. Learn. Engage. Welcome to Cross Word Books, the podcast where we delve into compelling conversations with authors who illuminate history, politics, culture, faith, and art.Each episode uncovers intriguing insights and untold stories that shape our understanding of todays world and the rich tapestry of ideas that define it. Whether youre passionate about the cultural impact of art or curious about how history informs our political landscape, Crossword invites you to explore the diverse forces that influence human experience.Join our community of curious minds and subscribe now to embark on a journey of discovery, thoughtful reflection, and deeper connection with the world around us. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
How Russia’s Taiga Shaped Power Culture And War
Episode 166
Thursday, 19 March, 2026
Send us Fan MailIf you care about Russian history, Soviet culture, environmental history, or how geography shapes war, Russia looks different when you stop treating nature like background scenery. We sit down with writer and Cornell professor Sophie Pinkham to talk about The Oak and the Larch and the idea that the Russian forest, the taiga, and the swamp belt are not just settings in history, but drivers of it, shaping how people imagine freedom, fear, exile, and power.We trace how Siberia became both a place of punishment and a frontier promise, and why colonization in Asian Russia created its own mix of tragedy, blending, and myth. Sophie explains what the taiga really is, why the larch is such a potent symbol, and how old growth ecosystems like Białowieża Forest preserve “natural memory” because they escaped modern deforestation. Along the way we talk partisan refuge in World War II, how wetlands and forests still affect military strategy, and why attempts at “rational” forest management from Peter the Great through the Soviet era keep colliding with the sheer scale of the landscape.Hit subscribe, share this with a friend who loves big ideas, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Find out more at https://www.bookclues.com/W&W Norton https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324036685More about Sophie Pinkham https://www.sophiepinkham.com/
