Companion to Russian Studies: Volume 1: An Introduction to Russian History

Description

An introduction, complete in one volume, to the history of Russia from medieval times to the fall of Khrushchev and beyond. A study of the geographical setting in which the Russian state grew to its present super-power status is followed by five chapters which discuss the political, social, and economic history of the country, and four final chapters examine respectively the role of the Church, Soviet government and politics, the economy of the Soviet state, and the international relations of the USSR. Each chapter has been specially commissioned for this volume, and the writers are acknowledged experts in their fields. Every chapter is followed by a guide to further reading. This is perhaps the most comprehensive and authoritative collaborative history of Russia yet to appear. It will be read as a continuous account, and will also be consulted as a standard reference guide in libraries of universities, colleges, and schools wherever Russian and Soviet history, European history, and international relations are studied. It forms the first part of the three-volume Companion to Russian Studies, the two other parts of which deal with Russian language and literature, and Russian art and architecture respectively.

'The contributions are uniformly excellent and each is followed by a valuable and comprehensive guide to further reading. There are a number of one-volume histories of Russia in existence, but it would be difficult to find a more authoritative and comprehensive one than this ... The book will be invaluable to anyone coming fresh to the study of Russian history and, indeed, should be essential reading wherever European history is studied.' British Book News 'This is a most thorough and welcome first orientation for those embarking on the study of Russian civilization.' International Newsletter