A History of Russia and Its Empire: From Mikhail Romanov to Vladimir Putin

by Kees Boterbloem

This clear and focused text provides an introduction to imperial Russian and Soviet history from the crowning of Mikhail Romanov in 1613 to Vladimir Putin’s new term. Through a consistent chronological narrative, Kees Boterbloem considers the political, military, economic, social, religious, and cultural developments and crucial turning points that led Russia from an exotic backwater to superpower stature in the twentieth century. The author assesses the tremendous price paid by those who made Russia and the Soviet Union into such a hegemonic power, both locally and globally. He considers the complex and varied interactions between Russians and non-Russians and investigates the reasons for the remarkable longevity of this last of the colonial powers, whose dependencies were not granted independence until 1991. He explores the ongoing legacies of this fraught decolonization process on the Russian Federation itself and on the other states that succeeded the Soviet Union. The only text designed and written specifically for a one-semester course on this four-hundred-year period, it will appeal to all readers interested in learning more about the history of the people who have inhabited one-sixth of the earth’s landmass for centuries.

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2012

Reviews

[Paul Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had little knowledge of Russian history apart from a handful of well-known markers, so as an introduction, 1613-2012, this hit the spot. Some periods and personalities are more detailed than others, and some aspects, such as the Cossacks, receive only one page. There are plenty of further reading etc. suggestions for drilling down though. For the post-USSR years I imagine there are better sources; I found that part particularly skimmed.

My thoughts on autocracy, authoritarianism, dictatorship, Utopianism, the inhumanity of humanity and control through pure psychopathy and insanity, and this book is full of examples, for another place than here.

All in all, an enjoyable and informative book. Good for general interest around a fascinating and frequently despairing subject.