The History of Russia

by John Lawrence

Russian history

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Russia

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Sir John Waldmar Lawrence, 6th Baronet was a British diplomat, minister, and Church of England layman. A powerful voice in the ecumenical movement, Lawrence edited and wrote Frontier (1958-1975), an ecumenical Christian newspaper.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite foreboding for the United States despite being last copywrited 25 years ago. Reading this book shows how we are more like Russia than we want to admit. It read easier than the other history books I have read recently. Communism may have lost the battle, but the repercussions are still bringing down democratic nations.

[John Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated , ecumenical but interesting

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition I read back in the mid-1960's was the first Mentor books paperback edition published in April 1962, and so reflects the state of the Soviet Union and the world as of that date. For me at the time, it was an excellent survey of Russian history from the earliest times, through the Middle Ages, the Tsarist period and the Soviet era up to the time of publication. Being introductory, it doesn't answer all the questions one might have, so that is a spur for further reading and there are a couple of pages of suggestions for further reading.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spent one page on the entirety of Catherine the Great’s reign, and that page was littered with patronizing judgments. No footnotes or endnotes anywhere.

[William Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable in the old prose style of history writing by an erudite, polymath author. It's hard to find a Russian history that is not dry but Lawrence did it well.

[Collin · Rating 3 out of 5]

For an introduction to Russian history, Lawerence’s book is a well-written and an accessible overview of 1,000+ years of history. General historical currents and developments are described in detail in lieu of names and dates. Special emphasis was often paid to religion/the orthodoxy throughout the book, but otherwise Lawerence’s writing felt balanced and apolitical.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a college text it turns out. Lots of interesting stuff in there. What disappointed me more than anything is the author seemed to esteem the communist programs and policies and excuse or at least gloss over or lightly brush over there cruelties and ruthlessness. Thus only a 3. I thought of even a 2 but I liked the early history part quite a bit. Now I wonder if it may have been slanted too. Just thinking out loud folks.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool book, good information on pre Russian history.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a fairly dry manner but does provide an overview of Russian history. Is a good book to start with to find which topics one wants to pursue in greater detail.

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy to read, well laid out

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like russia. and russian history. i liked this book.

[Ianissimo Madonaldissimo · Rating 2 out of 5]

a quick gloss of Russian history in which it feels like great gaps of information are missing. good as a primer to the subject