Imperial and Soviet Russia: Power, Privilege and the Challenge of Modernity

by David Christian

This is an interpretative history of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union between 1850 and 1991. During this tumultuous period, the countries of this vast area were transformed from traditional, agrarian societies into modern industrial states. Like China, the Soviet Union underwent this transition under the banner of communism. After introductory chapters on traditional Russian history and lifeways, David Christian discusses how these transformations affected both governments and ordinary citizens, what they gained, what they endured, and why the Communist experiment ultimately failed.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

488 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 1997

About the author

David Gilbert Christian is an Anglo-American historian and scholar of Russian history notable for creating and spearheading an interdisciplinary approach known as Big History. He grew up in Africa and in England, where he earned his B.A. from Oxford University, an M.A. in Russian history from the University of Western Ontario, and a Ph.D. in 19th century Russian history from Oxford University in 1974.

He began teaching the first course in 1989 which examined history from the Big Bang to the present using a multidisciplinary approach with assistance from scholars in diverse specializations from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The course frames human history in terms of cosmic, geological, and biological history. He is credited with coining the term Big History and he serves as president of the International Big History Association.

Christian's best-selling Teaching Company course entitled Big History caught the attention of philanthropist Bill Gates who is personally funding Christian's efforts to develop a program to bring the course to high school students worldwide in part via the website http://www.bighistoryproject.com

Reviews

[Eilidh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt my favourite secondary source on the Russian Revolution. I read this as part of my history module for college, and I read roughly 5 other books on the Russian Revolution. Christian’s account of the history was captivating, easy to read and covered the majority of events within the time period. Anyone could pick this up and read it, if they wanted to learn about what happened. It’s not the most analytical commentary on the event, but it certainly provides the reader with a knowledge of the Russian Revolution, and I’d recommend it without hesitation.

[Lenmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice