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Russia: Experiment with a People
Since the fall of communism, Russia has witnessed a dramatic struggle between old and new, continuity and change. Corruption and violence have plagued society. Most people have benefited little from the new capitalist order. But positive changes are evident. Russians can speak and act more freely in a state that no longer intrudes on their privacy. They are able to travel abroad, enjoy unprecedented access to information from around the world, and organize and campaign for improvement in their living conditions.
In this engrossing account Robert Service traces the formation of the new Russia from the end of the Soviet Union in 1991 to the present. He paints a fascinating picture of a people in metamorphosis. In wide-ranging discussions on topics from Kremlin politics to rock music and macroeconomics to contemporary poetry, Service takes us inside to witness the changes from both the top down and the bottom up. He examines the reforms of the Yeltsin and Putin administrations in the context of the complex communist legacy, deftly interweaving political history, intellectual thought, and popular consciousness to illuminate the real difficulties Russia has faced on its rocky path to reform.
For the second time in less than a century, the Russians have been engaged in a fundamental reshaping of their society, and the results will prove of vital importance to the global community. Robert Service has provided a valuable and engaging guide to their recent remarkable journey.
In this engrossing account Robert Service traces the formation of the new Russia from the end of the Soviet Union in 1991 to the present. He paints a fascinating picture of a people in metamorphosis. In wide-ranging discussions on topics from Kremlin politics to rock music and macroeconomics to contemporary poetry, Service takes us inside to witness the changes from both the top down and the bottom up. He examines the reforms of the Yeltsin and Putin administrations in the context of the complex communist legacy, deftly interweaving political history, intellectual thought, and popular consciousness to illuminate the real difficulties Russia has faced on its rocky path to reform.
For the second time in less than a century, the Russians have been engaged in a fundamental reshaping of their society, and the results will prove of vital importance to the global community. Robert Service has provided a valuable and engaging guide to their recent remarkable journey.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Robert Service
33 books272 followersThis author is the British historian of modern Russia. For the British-Canadian writer of Yukon poetry, see Robert W. Service.
Robert Service is a British academic and historian of modern Russia and the Soviet Union. He is a professor of Russian history at the University of Oxford and a Fellow at St. Antony's College, Oxford.
He is the author of the highly acclaimed Lenin: A Biography, A History of Twentieth - Century Russia, Russia: Experiment with a People and Stalin: A Biography, as well as many other books on Russia's past and present. He wrote a marvelous book on communism titled Comrades Communism A World History (International Bestseller). He is married with four children.
Robert Service is a British academic and historian of modern Russia and the Soviet Union. He is a professor of Russian history at the University of Oxford and a Fellow at St. Antony's College, Oxford.
He is the author of the highly acclaimed Lenin: A Biography, A History of Twentieth - Century Russia, Russia: Experiment with a People and Stalin: A Biography, as well as many other books on Russia's past and present. He wrote a marvelous book on communism titled Comrades Communism A World History (International Bestseller). He is married with four children.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 29, 2019
Personal Response:
Russia: Experiment with a People is an interesting book about the history of Russia. My favorite part of the book is the beginning of the October Revolution. On November 7, 1917, communist revolutionaries led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Duma’s provisional government in Russia. I appreciate the book’s outlook on social customs during specific time periods. Up until the end of the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, peasants are a common part of the lower class in Russia.
Plot:
The book incorporates a historically accurate plot. Russia started out when a group of Vikings formed the Rus’ state in 862 A.D. Oleg of Novogrod is the Viking who creates the Rus’ state. Kiev becomes the first capital. Then Prince Vladimir the Great rules the Rurik Dynasty and Kiev becomes a center of trade and culture in eastern Europe. In 1237, Mongols invaded Rus’ and they ruled Russia until 1480. In 1480, Ivan the Great freed Russia. Ivan the Terrible, the grandson of Ivan the Great, becomes the first Tsar of Russia. The book takes a look at religion in Russia. When Prince Vladimir the Great rules Russia, he converts Russia from paganism to Orthodox Christianity. After that, Russia practices Slavic religion. When Joseph Stalin takes over, he revives the Russian Orthodox church to stir patriotism. Social aspects are present in the book. On March 30, 1856, Tsar Alexander III granted peasants the right to own land. After Mikhail Gorbachev took over as the leader of the USSR, he reforms the country to ease social restrictions.
Characterization:
At the start of the book Ivan the Terrible starts out as a seemingly invincible ruler; however, he comes down to earth towards the end of his reign. He took over the throne after Vasili III died. Ivan the Terrible’s policies were fear-inducing, hence the name. He eventually dies from a stroke and Feodor I takes the throne. Tsar Nicholas II, in the beginning, seems like a good ruler and the right public figure. After Bloody Sunday, the public sees his inabilities to handle state affairs. Nicholas II is assassinated by the Bolsheviks when Vladimir Lenin takes over the government. Bloody Sunday happened on January 22, 1905. In St. Petersburg, Russia, Father Georgy Gapon leads a peaceful protest toward the Winter Palace. Nicholas II’s uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir, orders the guards to open fire to stop the march. As a result, more than 100 marchers die.
Impacts of Setting:
The book took place from 862 A.D. to present-day Russia. At the start of the book, modern technology, transportation, and customs are absent. Modern technology and customs are present towards the end of the book. The setting makes a major impact on the plot. Due to Russia’s location, the east Slavs fend off the rising empire of Mongolia.
Theme:
The theme of the books is fortitude. Russia faces many adversities externally and internally throughout its timeline. In the early beginnings, Russia has to free itself from Mongol rulers. During the French reign of Napolean Bonaparte, Russia has to repel a French force of 600,000. Internally, Russia has to modernize its social structure at the end of World War 1. The monarchy is not working anymore. When Joseph Stalin takes charge of the USSR, Russia’s economy plummets. Despite all these problems, Russia still stands.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to females ages 17-21. Females, generally, have a better understanding of present situations and the book is not kinesthetically pleasing. Anyone younger than 17 would not understand the vocabulary. People older than 21 would want to read a more challenging book.
Russia: Experiment with a People is an interesting book about the history of Russia. My favorite part of the book is the beginning of the October Revolution. On November 7, 1917, communist revolutionaries led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Duma’s provisional government in Russia. I appreciate the book’s outlook on social customs during specific time periods. Up until the end of the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, peasants are a common part of the lower class in Russia.
Plot:
The book incorporates a historically accurate plot. Russia started out when a group of Vikings formed the Rus’ state in 862 A.D. Oleg of Novogrod is the Viking who creates the Rus’ state. Kiev becomes the first capital. Then Prince Vladimir the Great rules the Rurik Dynasty and Kiev becomes a center of trade and culture in eastern Europe. In 1237, Mongols invaded Rus’ and they ruled Russia until 1480. In 1480, Ivan the Great freed Russia. Ivan the Terrible, the grandson of Ivan the Great, becomes the first Tsar of Russia. The book takes a look at religion in Russia. When Prince Vladimir the Great rules Russia, he converts Russia from paganism to Orthodox Christianity. After that, Russia practices Slavic religion. When Joseph Stalin takes over, he revives the Russian Orthodox church to stir patriotism. Social aspects are present in the book. On March 30, 1856, Tsar Alexander III granted peasants the right to own land. After Mikhail Gorbachev took over as the leader of the USSR, he reforms the country to ease social restrictions.
Characterization:
At the start of the book Ivan the Terrible starts out as a seemingly invincible ruler; however, he comes down to earth towards the end of his reign. He took over the throne after Vasili III died. Ivan the Terrible’s policies were fear-inducing, hence the name. He eventually dies from a stroke and Feodor I takes the throne. Tsar Nicholas II, in the beginning, seems like a good ruler and the right public figure. After Bloody Sunday, the public sees his inabilities to handle state affairs. Nicholas II is assassinated by the Bolsheviks when Vladimir Lenin takes over the government. Bloody Sunday happened on January 22, 1905. In St. Petersburg, Russia, Father Georgy Gapon leads a peaceful protest toward the Winter Palace. Nicholas II’s uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir, orders the guards to open fire to stop the march. As a result, more than 100 marchers die.
Impacts of Setting:
The book took place from 862 A.D. to present-day Russia. At the start of the book, modern technology, transportation, and customs are absent. Modern technology and customs are present towards the end of the book. The setting makes a major impact on the plot. Due to Russia’s location, the east Slavs fend off the rising empire of Mongolia.
Theme:
The theme of the books is fortitude. Russia faces many adversities externally and internally throughout its timeline. In the early beginnings, Russia has to free itself from Mongol rulers. During the French reign of Napolean Bonaparte, Russia has to repel a French force of 600,000. Internally, Russia has to modernize its social structure at the end of World War 1. The monarchy is not working anymore. When Joseph Stalin takes charge of the USSR, Russia’s economy plummets. Despite all these problems, Russia still stands.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to females ages 17-21. Females, generally, have a better understanding of present situations and the book is not kinesthetically pleasing. Anyone younger than 17 would not understand the vocabulary. People older than 21 would want to read a more challenging book.
Read
August 6, 2016The language used is simple enough for a history newbie. Need to reread it properly next time though.
January 15, 2023
The only book that I found giving excellently insightful and rare facts regarding political matters of whole Jeltsin's time in office and Putins early years in the highest political office.
December 15, 2017
Una gran radiografía de la Rusia post-Comunista
Want to read
June 25, 201210 cent score!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews