Something similar in style to that of William L. Sherir’s book “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” or that of Mike Duncan’s podcast “The History of Rome,” both of which covered their topics in a very methodical, accurate and all encompassing manner. To find something that is almost unanimously considered a go to source on the history of communism, like the previous two sources I mentioned are for their topics, is proving difficult.
To be more specific, it isn’t the ideology itself I’m looking to learn about but rather a chronological description of communist governments, how they came to be, the core beliefs they latched onto and utilized (or didn’t), their defining moments (good or bad), their key players and any other historically important factors to their existence. This means that suggestions for the Communist Manifesto or biographies on Karl Marx won’t do. I also really want to steer clear of anything that’s meant to drive you towards one side or the other (like becoming a comrade or commie hater).
So if you know anything that is a trustworthy and primary historical source in this regard, please let me know. I keep hearing that communist governments are a failed experiment and finally want to read up on it myself.
Thank you.
This isn't exactly the answer you are looking for, but unfortunately, I do not think such a text exists, nor could it exist. Communism is an inherently political subject, and there is no way to have an "unbiased" history of it. Moreover, even books like the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich have biases; it would be more accurate to say that they have adopted a language of objectivity that masques the presence of the author. But the author's perspectives and limits, ideas and interpretations of the facts (and even interpretations of what count as "facts") are still there. There is no neutral ground of pure "facts" discussed by some group of people who are neither communists nor anti communists, or at least influenced by those perspectives. If you learn about communism, you will have to get into the dirt.
Yea this is what I feared. Regarding “Rise and Fall,” I know that the author has biases, which is clearly present in his perception of certain “orientations” and that of several diplomats he mentions, but I think these types of things are present in every book ever written. Which is the gist of what your are saying I suppose. So to modify my original request, I’m not looking for literally a source without any biases whatsoever but instead the “best thing out there.” The least unbiased and most objective that can be found. Even if it isn’t perfect.