Iron Curtain

By Anne Applebaum,

Book cover of Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956

Book description

Chosen 16 times as a 'Book of the Year' - the top non-fiction pick of 2012

'The best work of modern history I have ever read' A. N. Wilson, Financial Times

At the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union unexpectedly found itself in control of a huge…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Iron Curtain as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

People in the West tend to celebrate 1945 as a year of liberation; but, of course, in Eastern Europe, the defeat of Germany merely heralded the beginning of four more decades of repression. In this book, Anne Applebaum describes the Communist takeover of three European countries – East Germany, Poland, and Hungary. It’s a masterpiece both of research and of analysis. Communism, just like capitalism, had many faces: this book shows brilliantly just how varied repression can be. In 2013 it won the lucrative Cundill Prize, and deservedly so.

From Keith's list on the aftermath of World War 2.

Want books like Iron Curtain?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Iron Curtain.

Browse books like Iron Curtain

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Eastern Europe, Europe, and communism?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Eastern Europe, Europe, and communism.

Eastern Europe Explore 67 books about Eastern Europe
Europe Explore 902 books about Europe
Communism Explore 82 books about communism