Russian and Soviet History: From the Time of Troubles to the Collapse of the Soviet Union

(Paperback)

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Description

An original and thought-provoking text, Russian and Soviet History uses noteworthy themes and important events from Russian history to spark classroom discussion. Consisting of twenty essays written by experts in each area, the book does not simply repeat the conventional themes found in nearly all Russian history texts, anthologies, and documentary compilations. Rather, it showcases current thinking on Russian cultural, political, economic, and social history from the end of the sixteenth century to the demise of the Soviet "experiment."

Informed by archival work in the former Soviet Union and a broad range of published sources, this book is intended to introduce students to Russian history in an accessible and provocative format. Its eclectic essays offer readers an incomparable taste of the complexity and richness of Russia as it has evolved from late Muscovy to the modern era. This text is perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in Russian history and is a great resource for scholars in the field.

Contributions by: Sergei Arutiunov, Richard Bidlack, Kees Boterbloem, James Cracraft, Chester S. L. Dunning, Colum Leckey, Alexander M. Martin, Susan P. McCaffray, Martha Merritt, Patrick O'Meara, Scott W. Palmer, Jelena Pogosjan, Thomas E. Porter, Ana Siljak, Douglas Smith, William Taubman, Steven A. Usitalo, Jeffrey Veidlinger, Rex A. Wade, and William Benton Whisenhunt

Reviews

The essays are uniformly good; some are excellent. Recommended. * Choice Reviews *
Ranging over the last four centuries of Russian history, this collection of essays by both established and young scholars offers fresh perspectives. Some chapters offer new insights into mainstream issues, while others examine topics heretofore bypassed. Written for a broad audience, these essays contain gems for established scholars as well as nuggets for readers new to Russian history. They provide answers to some lingering questions even as they stimulate the readers curiosity to ask more. This volume is a good example of 'post-hole' history. -- George E. Munro, Virginia Commonwealth University
An intriguing and diverse collection of essays on Russian and Soviet history. -- Thomas Lahusen, University of Toronto

Author Bio

Steven A. Usitalo is assistant professor of history at Northern State University. William Benton Whisenhunt is professor of history at the College of DuPage.