A Holiday Reading Recommendation: Exploring Four Centuries of China-Russia Relations

If you're preparing for the holidays and considering what to read, I’d recommend "China & Russia - Four Centuries of Conflict and Concord" by Philip Snow. I discovered this remarkable work in one of London’s finest (and no, finest doesn’t mean largest) bookstores—the London Review Bookshop, just around the corner from the British Museum.

This book provides an insightful look at the complex relationship between Russia and China. Unlike the intense rivalry often seen between nations like Germany and France, Snow suggests that, despite moments of tension, Russia and China have maintained a unique balance over the centuries. Rather than exploiting each other's weaknesses, they seem to coexist, much like two dragons guarding their respective realms. If you’ve always thought that the West posed a greater threat to China than Russia, especially during China’s turbulent 19th century, this book might challenge that assumption.

While you may have questions about the author or the structure, I encourage you to give it a read—you won’t be disappointed.

https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300166651/china-and-russia/