A History of Russia, Volume 1: To 1917

by Walter G. Moss

This new edition retains the features of the first edition that made it a popular choice in universities and colleges throughout the US, Canada and around the world. Moss's accessible history includes full treatment of everyday life, the role of women, rural life, law, religion, literature and art. In addition, it provides many other features that have proven successful with both professors and students, including: a well-organized and clearly written text, references to varying historical perspectives, numerous illustrations and maps that supplement and amplify the text, fully updated bibliographies accompanying each chapter as well as a general bibliography of more comprehensive works, a glossary, and chronological and genealogical lists. Moss's 'A History of Russia' will appeal to academics, students and general readers alike.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Russia, Russian History, Textbooks

654 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a straightforward history of Russia before the 1917 revolution. It is definitely well-researched and comprehensive, but it has no vision, no analysis or synthesis. The casual reader looking to acquaint themselves with Russian history would find this to be quite the slog.

[Brent Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moss presents the cold, hard facts of early Russian history in a highly readable and accessible format. The language and format is so comfortable that many times I forgot that I was reading this on assignment. The "Part" introductions provide a very good overview of the chapters to come, and are useful tools for reviewing (or cramming) the comprehensive material of the text. Moss has copious footnotes and annotations to provide for further reading, and provides a "Suggested Sources" at the end of every chapter for even more reading. Appendices include a Timeline of everything that is described in the book (excellent for review and testing oneself), a more-than-sufficient bibliography, a table of Russian rulers (very useful, but oddly laid out), and a Glossary (very helpful!). I really enjoy reading the book, and I will surely complete the set with the second volume.

I have only two complaints. The first is superficial. The maps presented throughout the book are informative, but often confusing. I realize without color, maps are severely limited, but when presented with several different kinds of striped area, it's no less ambiguous than several shades of grey. For example, p 18 provides an outline of Moscow, Lithuania and the Mongolian Empire. I don't understand why the four divisions of Moscow are given in 1304, 1389, 1462, and 1533, while Lithuania is given in 1304, 1377, and 1462. The Mongols are given an outline for the 15th century only! I can't compare what's happening at any given time, esp. since there's a lot of give-and-take going on during this period. This may be my own shortcoming but the map does not come off as easy to read.

Second, the binding of this book is horrible. There is no way to read the middle third of the book without breaking the spine, unless you hold it at a V shape for the two weeks or so it takes to get through that portion. It feels kind of cheap, although the paper cover seems durable. The Katzner Russian dictionary (which I highly recommend) is about the same size and depth (and color) of this volume, but it has a more pleasing cover feel and lays flat without bending the spine. Moreover, this book comes shrink-wrapped for some reason, preventing returns or exchanges. This presentation doesn't take away from the good content.

These minor complaints should not stop you from purchasing this book; if you want a broad introduction to Russian history, you need this text!

[Mark Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize that A History of Russia, Volume 1: To 1917 is intended to be used as a college textbook, so I really shouldn't complain, but this was way too much like a textbook for me. Rather than an interesting, cohesive look at history as we move through the years, the text is chopped up into short chunks of a few pages each dealing with elements in isolation -- three pages on politics, two on religion, three on labor, etc., and on to the next block of time and four pages on politics, three on religion ... Is it really necessary to write in a style that is easily outlined for note-taking purposes rather than in an engaging one? No wonder some students dislike history and see it as just a bunch of names and dates. I am glad that I didn't order volume 2 at the same time as I ordered volume 1. For the 20th century, I'll try a different author.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a pretty good introduction to Russian history since Kievan Rus, although its a little sparse in the early stages. It's a lot better from about 1300-1400 onward, but I'd like to see a little more information about the early periods of Russian history, since the Kievan Rus periods and even before probably shaped a lot of Russian character.

[Jonathan]

None

[Airyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a complete History of Russia from early Rus to the Russian Revolution, this is a really good place to start.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent historical reference, pretty dry for casual reading.

[Addison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an okay presentation of really great information.