Gorbachev | Meltdown | 3

How did a collection of desperate survivors, religious outcasts, and petty criminals become the architects of the world's most powerful nation? What does it mean to build a society on the language of liberty when that society is entirely dependent on enslaved labour? And are Amer ...  Show more

How does a Siberian peasant mystic end up controlling the most powerful empire in Europe? Could the rumours that destroyed a dynasty have been entirely false — and did they matter anyway? And, without Rasputin, would there have been no Lenin — and would the 20th century have look ...  Show more

Journalist Gerd Heidemann is searching for his next story for Stern magazine when the scoop of the century lands in his lap. But is it too good to be true?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.c ...

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, has died at the age of 91 in Moscow. He was credited with bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end and ushering in an era of openness and reform in the Soviet Union, which ultimately led to its collapse. Emily Tamkin in Washi ...  Show more

In part 2 of our coverage, Empress Sisi helps to change the political climate in Hungary, experiences great personal tragedy, comes a little bit loose at the seams... and gained headlines with an ending that shook the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad ...  Show more