I've seen several book recommendation lists, and since I'm still in the theory education phase, most of the books I've gotten have been with that in mind. However, I'm actually quite interested in broader soviet history. Are there any trustworthy books that I can read about all the different soviet republics and how they each joined the union? I know the USSR wasn't perfect, but I doubt Georgia joined the union through conquest as seems to be the lib consensus.

Thanks

So I'm still learning about how gaslight I've been about the imperial powers and communist countries. (DPRK blew my mind) I'm now to the point of assuming most of what I've known or heard is wrong or straight up lies. All that just to ask, I read some time ago about the terrible anti LGBT+ laws in capitalist Russia. Not to mention how evil Putin is in general. However, since lurking and now joining Lemmygrad, I'm seeing the way people talk about current day Russia and its making me want to ask about its current state especially in regards to LGBT+ rights. I try to look into it online, but honestly, at this point, I trust the people here more than whatever capitalist run outlet I'm likely to find online. I'm pretty sure Russia isn't a paradise today but I'm wondering what's actually going on with things.

Thanks