Russia: A History: Third edition

By Gregory L. Freeze

Book Overview

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "a brisk, exciting tour of Russia's long journey from its Kievan origins," Russia: A History cuts through the myths and mystery that have surrounded this nation from its earliest days, with startling revelations from classified archives that until recently were not even known to exist. A distinguished team of historians has stripped away the propaganda of the past to tell the definitive story of Russia, from tenth-century Kiev and Muscovy through empire and revolution to the fall of Communism and the "new order" of the early 21st century. What emerges is a nation of extremes--of imperial opulence and abject poverty, tyrannical power and subversive resistance, artistic achievement and economic crisis, glittering cities and frozen steppes. A compelling story in its own right, it is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Russia and its place in the world. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to take into account developments under Vladimir Putin.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199560412
• ISBN13: 9780199560417
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)
• Length: 656 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Very readable

This is a comprehensive book covering several hundred years of Russian history. Although the book is divided into 'bite sized chunks', make no mistake; this is no lightweight read. Gregory Freeze has an obvious grasp of the enigma that is Russia and has the skill to present his knowledge in a way that makes complex history fun to read instead of a chore. The revised edition takes into account the information that has become available since the fall of Communism in the USSR. This makes it all the more interesting as it helps dispel some of the myths propagated by the West during the cold war. I would recommend this book to anyone with a fascination for Russia but particularly for the undergraduate studying the topic.

For Those With Strong Interest in the Subject

Gregory Freeze is an erudite scholar, and it shows with the current volume. This is not a popular book. It is written for those with some knowledge of the subject, who will appreciate the possibilities and limitations of serious historical reviews of events most of us find difficult to understand. However, understand these events we must, as Russia is not the only country to thrive on misinformation and misunderstanding of its place in the world.

Wonderful, uptodate essays by authorities in specific fields

This is a beautifully illustrated and attractively presented overview of Russian history (broadly conceived) by respected authorities in specific areas of Russian history from ancient times to the present. It is sober and balanced and in touch with the latest research and documentation. It is addressed to a broad audience and may be read with pleasure and profit by anyone. Pictures and text are exceptionally well integrated. An outstanding and sophisticated popular presentation by twelve American, British and German scholars.