Rating: 
Summary: Fills in the historical blanks left from public education
Review: Gulag provided for me a powerful and shocking history lesson I had never been taught in high school or college. So much has been taught on Hitler, but barely anything of substance on Soviet Communism. After reading this book, you'll understand the reasons for the so-called paranoia of McCarthyism. Ronald Reagan had it right when he called the Soviet Union an "evil empire." I found this book so compelling, though heart wrenching, that I went on to read "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" as well as a recent biography on Solzhenitsyn by D. M. Thomas called "Alexander Solzhenitsyn: A Century in His Life." I have come to the conclusion that nobody but a man like Solzhenitsyn could ever have written Gulag.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant.
Review: The novel, first and foremost, is a historical masterpiece, more significantly so than it is a literary work of art. Its astounding depiction of the world at its worst is just that; astounding. It is a profound portrayal of how humanity derives positivity from negativity, good from evil. Solzhenitsyn succeeds in probing the abilities of the oppressed mind, and thus succeeds in providing a thought-provoking tale to his audience.
Rating:
Summary: Read it
Review: Forget the length. It is the duty of every thinking being to read these three volumes to find out what man is capable of in terms of hate and of resilience. There are many places in the world including Malaysia, Singapore and Burma that have repressive regimes but they cover it with the gloss of Asian Values: please readers out there, do not be deceived.
Rating:
Summary: How Good and Evil grow in a human heart.
Review: To me the three volumes of the Gulag Archipelago not only document the atrocities commited in the Soviet Union, but much more importantly, they reveal how people become evil and how they can become good. Though Communism is gone (as a religion, at least) and the Soviet Union as well, these eternal truths are well worth returning to these books again and again.If you are put off by the first few chapters of the first volume, please, jump to the second or third volume. Some of the best material is there. I've read all three volumes over three times and consider them a major influence on my life and thought.
Rating:
Summary: The definitve guide to the Russian Gulags.
Review: A must read for everyone interested in Russia and Russian history. You should not let the length discourage you. If it does you should read "A Day in the Life" also by Solzhenitsyn. Often considered a masterpiece as well about the Russian prison camps.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing but Challenging
Review: The Gulag was one of the most powerful novels I have ever read, it's depiction of the jails and the Archipelago could only come from the perspective of a man who has been through it all. I believe that Solzhenitsyn has done more than tell people about his struggles, he has dived straight into the hearts of the readers. The only downside of the novel is the challenge, as a teenager, it was extremely challenging to me. Overall, though, it is a very well done novel that taught me more than any history teacher ever could.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful literature
Review: Alas, I have never met anyone else who has actually read the entire first volume. I even wonder whether there is anyone besides myself who has read all three volumes. Once I got started I just couldn't stop until I had read the final page in the third volume. I was entranced with the stories of the Soviet prison system. Mr. Solzhenitsyn and his translaters could have done a better job from a literary standpoint, but the message they present is powerful despite the difficulty encountered in reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest books of the century
Review: Anyone willing to invest a significant amount of time reading will do himself a great service to read these three volumes. I have finished the first two and can without a doubt state that this must rank as one of the greatest and most important works of all time. Those who wish to discount the inherent evils of collectivism simply cannot argue with its real life results. Some may say that the Bible is responsible for many deaths and torments, also. But the Bible, when correctly applied is never forced on anyone. Those who have mis-used it for a gain in power are not applying its true principles. Communism, however, when properly applied, must result in force against those who do not agree with it. Mr. Solzhenitzyn correctly shows that it was not only Stalin, but Lenin and those since Stalin as well who sunk to the lowest depravities of man in their quest for power. Those who argue that Orwell's 1984 is only fantasy and not realistic would do well to read Gulag also. For in Gulag, we read a real life 1984 which is similar, only more horrifying. When we look around at todays political climate, we must come to the painful conclusion that America is not immune from from such atrocities, either. Anywhere that government is given unlimited powers, it will use and misuse them to the fullest. We should all be aware of this and fight for limited government at every opportunity. Finally, Mr. Solzenitzen, though not a theologian, gives a stirring explanation of the spiritual growth which may accompany earthly suffering. Posssibly without knowing it, he has answered the skeptics number one battle cry: The problem of evil and suffering in the world. The most emotional and beautiful words in this volume are these: "Bless you prison, for having been in my life!" I cannot endorse this and other works by this authur strongly enough. Do yourself, and the world a favor. Read this book and heed its warnings.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: The depth of emotion that is shared by the author is compelling. You feel that you are there with him as he experiences these emotions and lives his life from day to day. If you liked "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denosvich", you will be astounded by the detail that is shared in this book. It is one of my favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: The Gulag Archipelago
Review: This was a great book, displaying examples of Soviet totalitarianism at it's worst. I only gave it four stars because it starts very slowly. Once one gets past the first hundred pages though, it becomes one of the most interesting books.
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