Russia

by Donald Mackenzie Wallace

The Zaporovian Commonwealth has been compared sometimes to ancient Sparta, and sometimes to the mediaeval Military Orders, but it had in reality quite a different character. In Sparta the nobles kept in subjection a large population of slaves, and were themselves constantly under the severe discipline of the magistrates. These Cossacks of the Dnieper, on the contrary, lived by fishing, hunting, and marauding, and knew nothing of discipline, except in time of war. Amongst all the inhabitants of the Setch--so the fortified camp was called--there reigned the most perfect equality.

Genres: History, Russia

626 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace KCIE KCVO (11 November 1841 – 10 January 1919) was a Scottish public servant, writer, editor and foreign correspondent of The Times (London).

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Matt Frear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long but extremely readable and highly quotable insight into late 19th century/pre-revolutionary Russia by a British traveller from the era. Donald Mackenzie Wallace is clearly rather likes the people, and is amusingly unimpressed by the provincial countryside which he constantly belittles! A great addition to a Russophile's (Kindle) bookshelf.

[Joan Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of Russia written at the turn of the 20th Century

This is a sometimes plodding, sometimes riveting account of the development of the Russian Empire from Kievan Russ to the war with Japan. When the going got tough, I would skim over details and just read for the general flow. At other times the details were fascinating. It was strange to have the author end the account with no knowledge of what was to come...but of course, how could he know. But my interest is piqued, and I have already borrowed a more modern history of Russia to continue the story!