OPINION

Why ‘The Gulag Archipelago’ Is the Greatest Book of the 20th Century

Victor Davis Hanson •   January 24, 2026

On this episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” David J. Mahoney explains to co-host Jack Fowler why he believes Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s “The Gulag Archipelago” is the greatest book of the 20th century.

Mahoney, professor emeritus at Assumption University and a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, also unpacks Thomas Sowell’s theory that humans are inclined to adopt one of two worldviews—the “constrained” or the “unconstrained” vision.

Subscribe to Victor Davis Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes.

We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. 

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Victor Davis Hanson
Victor Davis Hanson | Senior Contributor
Victor Davis Hanson is a senior contributor for The Daily Signal, hosting a podcast and producing video commentaries four times per week, and writing a weekly column.

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