A History of Russia and Its Empire: From Mikhail Romanov to Vladimir Putin

(Hardback, Second Edition)

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This clear and focused text provides an introduction to imperial Russian and Soviet history from the crowning of Mikhail Romanov in 1613 to Vladimir Putins new term. Through a consistent chronological narrative, Kees Boterbloem considers the political, military, economic, social, religious, and cultural developments and crucial turning points that led Russia from an exotic backwater to superpower stature in the twentieth century. The author assesses the tremendous price paid by those who made Russia and the Soviet Union into such a hegemonic power, both locally and globally. He considers the complex and varied interactions between Russians and non-Russians and investigates the reasons for the remarkable longevity of this last of the colonial powers, whose dependencies were not granted independence until 1991. He explores the ongoing legacies of this fraught decolonization process on the Russian Federation itself and on the other states that succeeded the Soviet Union. The only text designed and written specifically for a one-semester course on this four-hundred-year period, it will appeal to all readers interested in learning more about the history of the people who have inhabited one-sixth of the earths landmass for centuries.

Reviews

In the second edition of this text, Kees Boterbloem has expanded his coverage of modern Russian history while maintaining the narrative of this countrys fascinating history. The new volume brings the story up to the present while expanding on issues concerning Russias non-Russian populations. This work is ideal for a survey of Russian history and for a general audience. Outstanding! -- William Benton Whisenhunt, College of Dupage
Kees Boterbloem provides a clear summary of Russian history from the early seventeenth century, through the Soviet period, and into the post-Soviet era. Boterbloem draws connections across periods, showing how Russias past continues to affect its present. His book provides an excellent and succinct introduction to Russian history for those new to the subject. -- Paul Robinson, University of Ottawa

Author Bio

Kees Boterbloem is professor of history at the University of South Florida.