Russia

Polity Histories

by Dmitri Trenin

Over the past century alone, Russia has lived through great achievements and deepest misery; mass heroism and mass crime; over-blown ambition and near-hopeless despair – always emerging with its sovereignty and its fiercely independent spirit intact. In this book, leading Russia scholar Dmitri Trenin accompanies readers on Russia’s rollercoaster journey from revolution to post-war devastation, perestroika to Putin’s stabilization of post-Communist Russia.  Explaining the causes and the meaning of the numerous twists and turns in contemporary Russian history, he offers a vivid insider’s view of a country through one of its most trying and often tragic periods.  Today, he cautions, Russia stands at a turning point – politically, economically and socially – its situation strikingly reminiscent of the Russian Empire in its final years. For the Russian Federation to avoid a similar demise, it must learn the lessons of its own history.

Genres: Russia, History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2019

About the author

Dmitri Trenin is a Senior Associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Deputy Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center.

Reviews

[Chase Metcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short survey of history Russia since 1900. The author notes the principal lesson for the Russian people from this history is the mortal danger posed by political disunity and the unifying role of Orthodox Christianity. Highlights respect of authority and an authoritarian political culture as deeply entrenched in Russian psyche. Further highlights that Russian culture is shaped by a sense of independence, global outlook, prevailing faith, and remarkable geography. Solid primer that is easily read and understandable. Can provide a foundation for more detailed study of Russian history and political culture.

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former Russian military intelligence officer Dmitri Trenin has a PHD in history and is currently the Director of the Carnegie Moscow Centre. This book offers a broad brush look at Russian history in the 20th and early 21st centuries and serves as a useful primer for key events and helps to explain national attitudes and concerns but it is (perhaps unsurprisingly) largely uncritical of Putin’s regime and the implications for Russia’s future.

[Larissa Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

um ótimo livro para quem quer começar a ler sobre Rússia/História da Rússia. Ele é um ótimo livro introdutório, permiti que o leitor conheça um pouco mais não só sobre a Rússia atual, mas sobre a história da Rússia e a influencia do passado nos dias de hoje. Dmitri Trenin talvez seja um dos especialistas em Rússia mais famosos do mundo e esse livro é muito interessante.

[reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know Russian history was so interesting! This is a concise book great for anyone who doesn’t know anything about Russian history. The recommendations for further reading at the back were also very helpful.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read on Russia’s history, each chapter covering a significant period and leader, the further broken down into significant events, social, economic, religious, and military themes.

[Mikhail Farhath-Kupriyanov · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s…fine? It says what it does on the tin - a very brief, cursory introduction to Russian history of the last 120 years. The most useful section in it is the “Further Reading” chapter.

[Jayanth]

Concise, flowing, personal

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short dense history of Russia from a Russian center-right perspective. Essential reading.

[Emin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this short book about Russia after 1900 to better understand the direction of Turkey under Erdogan. It was useful but unfortunately became even more so after Russia invaded Ukraine.

A good primer on Russia, the Russian psyche, religion and the “need” for an authoritarian leader. The author lives in the US and works for a Washington think tank, but I did not find it skewed in that direction at all.