Russia in the Age of Peter the Great

By Lindsey Hughes

Book Overview

Peter the Great, often known as the Tsar Reformer, initiated a program of modernization and Westernization that affected the lives of all his subjects. He founded a new capital, St. Petersburg, which became a symbol of cultural change, and a navy, which signaled Russia's emergence as a maritime power. He also reinforced the old institutions of serfdom and autocracy. This magisterial book--a history of Peter and the Russia he governed--examines the impact of a man who was both acclaimed as the architect of the New Russia and condemned as a crude despot who sacrificed cherished traditions for the sake of international success.

Drawing on previously unavailable sources, Lindsey Hughes provides an engrossing account of one of the most significant periods in Russian history. She proceeds thematically, discussing Russia's foreign policy, the army and navy, economy, governing institutions, society, arts, education, and religion. She explores the experience of women and investigates the life of the court (including Peter's "All-Drunken Assembly"), feasts, entertainments, and popular culture. Although the book is not a biography, Peter is a vivid presence throughout--a six-foot-seven-inch giant who enjoyed the company of dwarfs and ordinary people, adopted disguises and pseudonyms, married a peasant, and had a passion for cultural reform. Hughes recounts the events that shaped Peter's youth, provides an intimate character sketch, and explores his complex family relations (including the tragic conflict with his eldest son Alexis, whom he condemned to death). Her account closes with a reconsideration of the Petrine legacy from Peter's time to our own, as his name and image become harnessed to sell beer and cigarettes and the erection of his statue provokes recent controversy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300082665
• ISBN13: 9780300082661
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 1.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Dr. Hughes's treatment of Peter and his era.

I am a history maj at UHH and am required to write a review for this book. In spirit of true historians i will convey my review for everyone. Lindsey Hughes presents an information rich, easily readable resource, of 18th century Russia, and in my opinion, "produced a well balanced historical reference book." Researching information for this book would lead you to believe that Peter was not a favorved tsar of his time or even today. Dr. Hughes presents unbias evidence for readers to beable to potray the Petrine era, she accomplishes this while still being able to envoke the feeling of those who gave reffrence of Peter during his time. "This newest Russian tittle will give you imense amounts of information allowing you to regurgitate a clear picture of just how life was during Russia in the age of Peter the Great.

An excellently organized and researched tome!

This book covers almost every angle of a very dynamic and consequential period in the history of Russia. Its organization allows the reader to move easily through the book and examine those parts which are of interest. I read the book from cover to cover and was never once displeased with the well-researched facts and attention to detail. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Russia's history.

Magnificent, entertaining, refreshingly revisionist

This book overshadows almost everything ever written about Peter the Great and his era. It is deeply researched, incisively argued, stylishly presented, and a marvelous read. Hughes organizes a huge amount of material logically and clearly; her prose exudes spirit and style. She revises much received wisdom. She treats many neglected topics with great insight and good sense. She makes many fascinating comparisons and constantly keeps in mind the contemporary context that Peter lived in. She has a wonderful eye for memorable quotations and shows great wit in her wide-ranging presentation. Her book makes many others look silly and shallow and stodgy. Her book achieves a wonderful balance between scholarly discoveries and revisions and popular topics with wide appeal to any literate person. A sterling achievement in all respects.