Russia: A History

by Ian Grey

The history of Russia is an epic of unending struggle.

Here, from award-winning historian Ian Grey, is its dramatic story - from the establishment of the first ruling dynasty by a Viking prince to the invasions of Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan to the rise of the tsars, whose domination of their country stretched nearly four centuries until the violent overthrow of Nicholas II in 1918.

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2015

About the author

Ian Grey (5 May 1918 – 5 June 1996) was a New Zealand-born historian of Russian history.

He began his career as a lawyer, a member of the New South Wales Bar. In 1941 he joined the Australian navy and was posted at Naval Intelligence of the Admiralty in London, then serving in the Soviet Union as an officer. He served for two and a half years in the Russian north, acting as a liaison for British Destroyers of the Soviet Navy in the Arctic. He also served as Deputy Secretary-General and the editor of publications of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters Secretariat from 1966 until his retirement. In 1971 he established the Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre.

Reviews

[Stephen Waters . Cobbit of the Shire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well researched and gave a good insight into the Tsars and their contribution to the life of Mother Russia Sadly none of them were able to release the serfs ultimately this led to the revolution

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short history of Russia up to 1917. Wish I could find something similar for 1917 to the present.

[Friedrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, concise history of Russia from earliest times and the rise of a Russian nation under the Rurik dynasty to the end of the Romanov dynasty. It was just the sort of broad outline that I was looking for.

[Brie_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short history detailing the ups and downs of the economic and political climate of Russia’s of government until the fall of the Romanovs in the First World War.

Reasons I Recommend:

1) Always loved Russian history and the fascination of how western culture influenced and hindered the country

2) How tsars were chosen, feared, ridiculed, killed, and changed history and

3) How such a monarchy was taken down in a brutal way that only reinforced the bloody history of the country.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quote: The Mongols were so infuriated by this delay that on taking the town, they butchered all that they found alive, citizens and animals alike. The blood was so deep in the streets, according to the chronicler, that children drowned before they could be slain.

#briereads #brierecommends #2025goodreadsreadingchallenge #reviewedongoodreads #reviewedoninstagram #bookworm #lovetoread #idratherbereading #history #russianhistory #russiaahistory #iangrey

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of Russian history from the earliest written records to the end of Imperial Russia in 1917. I had studied Imperial Russia (from Peter the Great onward) and the ethnic borderlands of the Empire so it was to fill in some of the gaps of the fascinating Medieval era and what we know of the region prior to the rise of Kievan Rus.

[Robert Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good account of Russian history.

This was a very interesting book and I learned a great deal about Russia. For anyone who has an interest in history you will enjoy this book and have a much better understanding about Russia.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does exactly what it says and outlines the history of Russia.
It ends right at the death of the last czar.
I was kinda hoping it would keep going but there are other books devoted to the USSR.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written history book that really delves into the foundations of Russia and how it came to be - like most non-fiction history books, it can be a bit heavy and not one you'd read in one go, but a good book if you are interested in learning more about the topic.

[Spen Cer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a great dive through the history of Russia and what led up to its modern state. Through this book cuts off at 1917, it still gives a lot of backstory to why that happened and shows so many missed opportunities for a better Russia.

[Cora P Bartemes · Rating 5 out of 5]

History Well written

The story line was easy to follow, the book could have used maps and sketches to help with the geography.

[Jared Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read.. factual and easy to digest but didn't engage the reader deeply

[Norman Worley · Rating 4 out of 5]

History

This book was very informative. It filled in the gaps of the Russian history that I was missing. Well written and a good story.