Russia in World History

by Barbara Alpern Engel, Janet Martin

Over the course of twelve centuries, Russia's peoples overcame the constant challenges posed by geography, climate, availability of natural resources, and devastating foreign invasions to become the world's second largest land empire and the largest in modern history. This energetic introduction to Russia's history follows the development of local tribes into a federation of principalities centered at Kiev, the shift of power to Moscow and the centralization of the state, and Russia's pursuit of imperial ambitions. It examines the circumstances that led to the foundation of the world's first communist society in 1917, and traces the global consequences of Russia's extensive confrontation with the United States. Russia's arduous and costly climb to great power gains a personal dimension through the stories of individual women and men-pivotal figures as well as common people-illuminating the human consequences of sweeping historical change. Peoples of many ethnicities became part of the Russian empire and suffered or benefitted from its leaders' efforts to meld a multiethnic polity into a coherent political entity. This book examines how Russia served as a conduit for people, ideas, and commodities - owing between east and west, north and south and how it came to play an increasingly important role on a global scale.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Russia

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Andres Felipe Contreras Buitrago · Rating 1 out of 5]

En verdad tenía mucha expectativa por el libro, más que todo por el título, pero la verdad me defraudó mucho, no sentí mucho la historia de Rusia a nivel mundial o con una mirada mucho más global, se mencionan algunas veces pero no es el centro del libro para nada, es más una historia super concisa.

En la introducción se señalan características importantes de Rusia como su sensación de inseguridad debido a la falta de fronteras naturales, y por otro lado, tenemos un territorio rico en recursos pero que tiene un clima muy duro. Se aborda todo el tema el de las rus de Kiev y los descendientes de Vladimir, algo positivo es en mirar el gran centro comercial que era esa región un comercio entre nómadas de las estepas, vikingos y bizantinos, recursos forestales y pieles muy importantes en el lugar.

Se abordan los acontecimientos desde la invacion mongola hasta el fin de la Urss mostrando los principales acontecimientos en cada etapa histórica, a veces se expone la relación de Rusia con el mundo como el traer arquitectos italianos para construir iglesias rusas, o la influencia de occidente durante Pedro el grande, también hay zares que evitan la entrada de ideas occidenteles.

No hay mucho que destacar del libro, no lo recomiendo mucho; hay mejores libros para conocer la historia de ese país.

[Kitty Red-Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The impossible task of condensing the history of Russia down to some 130 pages. Obviously it can’t quite be done, but this book managed, and is excellent for a quick start. Russian history 101. Which was what I wanted.

[Barbara Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb synopsis of Russian history. It leaves out nothing significant. There is less of “the world” than I expected but still enough to give a sense of Russia’s historical place in the world. Eminently readable.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive and interesting look into Russian history.

[Acartaylan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Binlerce yıllık tarihi 150 sayfaya indirmek pek mümkün değilmiş, ben kitabı okuduğumda bunu anladım.
Bölük porcuk bilgiler ve sayfalar arasında kimi zaman yüzyıllar var.

[Paschalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read but good for a general introduction