"Farewell to Russia" by Joe Luc Barnes, publication date 5th March 2026

I began this book thinking this is the whimsical telling of someone who has worked in privileged households in Russia. However I was wrong, this book made me realise how little I know about the former USSR and the journey these states have and are taking. It made me realise precisely why the war in Ukraine is so significant. It also made me consider the means of influence used by China in comparison to the often militaristic power used by Russia. There were definitely moments when this book made me terrified. But also moments which made me smile and laugh. If you're at all interested in learning more about the states of the former USSR then I'd recommend this. It's made me appreciate how big the world is and how understanding history can better help us understand present day actions. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. I was gifted a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.