The Russia Reader: History, Culture, Politics

Published by Duke University Press 2010

The Russia Reader

History, Culture, Politics

Edited by: Adele Marie Barker , Bruce Grant , Robin Kirk and Orin Starn

In the series The World Readers

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780822392583

Overview
Contents

About this book

An introduction to the history, culture, and politics of the worlds largest country, from the earliest written accounts of the Russian people to today.

Author / Editor information

Adele Barker is Professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at the University of Arizona. She is the editor of Consuming Russia: Popular Culture, Sex, and Society since Gorbachev, also published by Duke University Press; co-editor of The History of Women’s Writing in Russia; and author of Not Quite Paradise: An American Sojourn in Sri Lanka.

Bruce Grant is Associate Professor of Anthropology at New York University. He is the author of The Captive and the Gift: Cultural Histories of Sovereignty in Russia and the Caucasus and In the Soviet House of Culture: A Century of Perestroikas.

Reviews

“For the reader who desires to take a first dip into Russian history and culture but is overwhelmed by the vast amount of work available, The Russia Reader is the ideal starting point.” - Viktoria Ivanyutina, The Moscow Times

“If you purchase just one non-fiction book on Russia this year, make it this one. An eclectic, rich compendium of readings that covers a very broad swath of Russian history and culture. . . . Surely to be a popular choice for college survey courses on Russian history, this volume offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone with an interest in things Russian. And it does not require systematic reading, front to back. In fact, it rewards the serendipitous reader: no matter where you dip into it, you are sure to be enthralled.” - Paul E. Richardson, Russian Life

“The Russia surveyed here is one that reveals the complex layers of history that have accumulated over time and the voices that Barker and Grant marshal in telling Russia’s history are engaging and innovative ones. . . . The Russia Reader should interest any . . . traveler looking for a rich introduction into the history, culture, and politics of Russia.” - Stephen M. Norris, Anthropology of East Europe Review

“The Russia Reader is excellent. It is a tremendous introduction for the newcomer to Russian history and culture, and even the well-versed reader should find fascinating new material amongst the rich variety collected here.” - Mary Bailes, Scotland-Russia Review

“This volume represents, in the truest sense of the phrase, a Herculean effort…In compiling an eclectic mixture of stand-alone articles and excerpts from existing and newly commissioned translations…, Adele Barker and Bruce Grant seek to provide a one-stop source for students and travelers. For the most part, they have succeeded admirably.” - Kathleen Parthé, Slavic and East European Journal

“The Russia Reader provides a wonderful overview of Russian life and culture across the centuries, from the emergence of Muscovy and Russian Orthodoxy to the present day. The editors have done a remarkable job in selecting a range of texts that offer a sweeping overview of the complexity and passion of Russian life, and their brief introductions helpfully situate the texts. Whether readers follow the fate of Russia chronologically or use the book as a kaleidoscope to explore different facets of Russian life and culture, they will find a treasure trove of beautiful, dramatic, and tragic readings for exploring Russian history and culture across the ages.”—Peter Holquist, University of Pennsylvania

“Adele Barker and Bruce Grant have selected a fascinating group of writings reflecting Russian reality, past and present, most by Russians themselves. The selections make absorbing reading and convey insights that penetrate the veil of mystery that has so long obscured the ‘Russian soul.’”—Jack F. Matlock Jr., United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1987–1991

“The Russia Reader is excellent. It is a tremendous introduction for the newcomer to Russian history and culture, and even the well-versed reader should find fascinating new material amongst the rich variety collected here.”

-- Mary Bailes Scotland-Russia Review

“For the reader who desires to take a first dip into Russian history and culture but is overwhelmed by the vast amount of work available, The Russia Reader is the ideal starting point.”

-- Viktoria Ivanyutina Moscow Times

“If you purchase just one non-fiction book on Russia this year, make it this one. An eclectic, rich compendium of readings that covers a very broad swath of Russian history and culture. . . . Surely to be a popular choice for college survey courses on Russian history, this volume offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone with an interest in things Russian. And it does not require systematic reading, front to back. In fact, it rewards the serendipitous reader: no matter where you dip into it, you are sure to be enthralled.”

-- Paul E. Richardson Russian Life

“The Russia surveyed here is one that reveals the complex layers of history that have accumulated over time and the voices that Barker and Grant marshal in telling Russia’s history are engaging and innovative ones. . . . The Russia Reader should interest any . . . traveler looking for a rich introduction into the history, culture, and politics of Russia.”

-- Stephen M. Norris Anthropology of East Europe Review

“This volume represents, in the truest sense of the phrase, a Herculean effort…In compiling an eclectic mixture of stand-alone articles and excerpts from existing and newly commissioned translations…, Adele Barker and Bruce Grant seek to provide a one-stop source for students and travelers. For the most part, they have succeeded admirably.”

-- Kathleen Parthé Slavic and East European Journal

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
General Introduction Adele Barker and Bruce Grant Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
I Icons and Archetypes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
II From Kyiv through Muscovy Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	55
III Reform to Revolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	89
IV Far Pavilions: Siberia Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	147
V A Changing Countryside Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	193
VI Near Pavilions: The Caucasus Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	253
VII Revolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	303
VIII Building a New World from Old Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	349
IX Rising Stalinism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	395
X The Great Terror Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	441
XI The War Years Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	487
XII The Thaw Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	533
XIII Russians Abroad, Near and Far Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	569
XIV Life under Advanced Socialism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	609
XV Things Fall Apart Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	663
XVI Building a New World, Again Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	697
Suggestions for Further Reading Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	743
Acknowledgment of Copyrights and Sources Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	753
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	765

Language: English
Publisher: Duke University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 792
Illustrations
- Other: 96 photos, incl. 8 pg color insert, 1 table, 4 maps

eBook

Published: July 12, 2010
ISBN: 9780822392583