Radchenko offers some interesting but not exactly revolutionary interpretations of the Sino-Soviet split. He wants to show that the split was not just Mao's doing, but was also driven by Soviet fears. He suggests that not only did the Soviets not understand the Chinese sense of humiliation after the unequal treaties, but that the Soviet leadership maintained some long-held Russian paranoia about invasion from Asia. He includes discussions of racial prejudice and of the long occupation of southern Russia by the Golden Horde.

The nuance he provides on Soviet policy is thought provoking. Ultimately, it does not undermine the view that the split was driven by each sides attempts to lead international socialism, but it does suggest some other factors that colored the Soviets leadership's decision making. ( )