Russia - the Empire Strikes Back

Russia - the Empire Strikes Back

Author: BBC Radio 4 January 9, 2023 Duration: 43:36

Ep 2 - The Invention of Russia and the expansion east to Siberia, west into Ukraine


We often take the world map for granted, but the lines that define nations are far from permanent. In How to Invent a Country, award-winning journalist Misha Glenny, presented by BBC Radio 4, digs into the fascinating and often turbulent processes that bring a nation into being. This isn't just a dry history lesson; it's an exploration of the powerful forces-political ambition, cultural narratives, and sheer accident-that draw borders and forge identities. Each episode takes you to a different corner of the globe, unpacking the specific moments when a place transformed from an idea or a territory into a country recognized by the world. You'll hear about the contested lands, the foundational myths, and the real people whose lives were shaped by these creations. This podcast reveals how the countries we know today were invented, showing that their stories are alive, contested, and continually being rewritten. Tune in for a compelling journey that changes how you see every line on the map.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 64

How to Invent a Country
Podcast Episodes
Germany - The Rise of Prussia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:43
Misha Glenny on how a sandy backwater called Prussia began to change the shape and size of Germany
Germany - A Hotly Contested Piece of Real Estate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
Misha Glenny presents a new history of Germany before the Nazis and two world wars, when this region was the stomping ground for foreign invaders
Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19
When did countries become countries? Misha Glenny on the borders, the stories and the people of countries worldwide.