Russia: Myths and Realities: The History of a Country with an Unpredictable Past

by Rodric Braithwaite

Russia is the largest country in the world, with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. Over a thousand years this multifaceted nation of shifting borders has been known as Rus, Muscovy, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. Thirty years ago it was reinvented as the Russian Federation.

Russia is not an enigma, but its past is violent, tragic, sometimes glorious, and certainly complicated. Like the rest of us, the Russians constantly rewrite their history. They too omit episodes of national disgrace in favour of patriotic anecdotes, sometimes more rooted in myth than reality.

Expert and former ambassador Rodric Braithwaite unpicks fact from fiction to discover what lies at the root of the Russian story.

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction, Politics, Historical

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Sir Rodric Quentin Braithwaite is a retired British diplomat and an author. From 1988 to 1992 Braithwaite was ambassador in Moscow, first of all under Margaret Thatcher to the Soviet Union and then under John Major to the Russian Federation. Subsequently, he was the Prime Minister's foreign policy adviser and chairman of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee (1992–93), and was awarded the GCMG in 1994.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biz!! It’s a cracker!

A thousand years of Russia, the personalities, the events, the outcomes. Get your running gear on before you open the book, ‘cause there’s little time to warm up before you’re off.

Entertaining and enjoyable.

Things come along in our life, in the life of a country. You can try to learn from them, or… you can twist the truth and use your interpretation of what went on to further your own aims. Ask the current or past leaders of Russia, they know how to do it.

At times, I had to chuckle over how certain figures have used misinformation/disinformation/porkie pies to con the people. I’m of the mind having read the few books I have just lately that the people of Russia/The Soviet Union never, ever mattered to their leaders, so telling whoppers never bothered them in the slightest. Maybe that’s part and parcel of being a communist/socialist: telling outright porkies is perfectly allowed.

It’s an enjoyable and entertaining read. Also, it’s sobering.

[Max Berendsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Braithwaite's newest book on Russia takes the reader on a crash course through the country's history. But despite its short length it is more then able to provide the reader with broad historic overview of Russia's very complex, rich and nuanced history.

The main thing I liked about the book is that Braithwaite refuses to give in to doom and gloom regarding Russia's future despite the current atrocities committed by Russia's regime and armed forces in its barbaric invasion of Ukraine. Braithwaite's claim to optimism is backed up by the many struggles which other European nations faced with coming to terms with their own imperial past.

Overall it would have perhaps been better if the book had been 20 to 30 pages longer. While I understand that the book is supposed to provide readers with a quick overview of Russian history, I found it a little irritating how in some parts the writing was a bit disorganised as well as events such as the Holodomor, the Chechen wars and the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis were only given a brief mention.

[Otto Benz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and up to date summary of Russian history, focussing on the authoritarian nature of Russia's leaders over the 1000 years since the establishment of the Kievan Rus and ending up with Putin. Lots of references to Ukraine.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise work that offers the reader a chance to glance at Russian history with some commentary on what most see as truth and what they see as myth. The author is a former ambassador to Russia, so there is some gravitas on his analysis. Perhaps the most helpful section is the bibliography he puts at the end of the work, offering the reader the chance to dig deeper into the Russian history/story. Given recent events, with Russia dominating the headlines with their invasion and subsequent failures in Ukraine, this is not a bad starting reference.

[Gisela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable insight into what went on and inference to why things are the way they are.

[Arran Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has spent several years studying russian history, this book occupies an important gap in British/western literature. Russia is much more than we see in the news, and much of its decisions and policies are shaped by decades and centuries of geopolitical trends.

None of this is an excuse for the crimes of the Russian government but I think this book creates a level of sympathy for the Russian people which is vital. Braithwaite shares his experiences and his knowledge in a compact and accessible history of Russia. This incredibly complex nation with its roots steeped in orthodoxy, conservatism, and questions of its place in the world deserves to be better understood by the people who have been raised to fear and hate it.

I have endless respect for Sir Rodric Braithwaite for using his position as a Briton who has spent considerable time in the heart of Russian life and politics to educate and inform on a severely misunderstood topic. I hope more people read this.

[Vibhor Sahay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and well written. Also fairly recent (2022) with a last chapter on Russia’s designs for Ukraine in relation to their complicated history

[Ewan Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief overview of Russian history, achieves exactly what it sets out to do. Only faults I have are that I would have liked it to jump around less, and also developed on a couple events more but that's more about preference (e.g. chechen war being almost a footnote)

Also, and I understand why this wasn't further expanded on as it's not so important for someone wanting an overview, I did feel that the 'Norman theory' of the Rus origin was overplayed a touch and some further explanation to a new reader of russian history that this theory is potentially false and at the least much more complicated would be good. Even just mentioning the greek colonies that mixed which the Indigenous groups and various migrations (scythians, sarmations) as providing a base for the development of culture in Kieven Rus would have been a shout in my opinion, but again it's not the most crucial thing for the reader to learn about at an introductory stage.

Really good book, highly recommend to give to friends/family that would like an easily accessible overview of Russian history.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief but enjoyable insight into the history of Russia; more, it talks about the people and their history.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greatest virtue of this book is its succinctness. That's also one of its drawbacks, however. It covers 1200 or so years of Russian history in only 250 pages. If you're reading this book in the first place, you're probably already familiar with the broad outlines of Russian history, and this book won't do much to deepen that knowledge.

Perhaps the single greatest insight I gleaned from this book is the author's dismissal of the idea that the Mongol invasions of the turn of the second millennium have much to do with Russia's historical backwardness and violent history. The author contrasts Russia's path with that of the Spanish, whose country was occupied by the Moors for 700 years, until expelled in 1492. Russia, by contrast, was only under the Mongols for 250 years. Moreover, the Moors actively occupied Spain, whereas the Mongols stayed on Russia's periphery and merely collected tribute from their Russian vassals, leaving them to run their own affairs otherwise. Yet Spain today is a prosperous democracy whereas Russia is a ramshackle autocracy currently engaged in a bloody war of aggression against its Ukrainian neighbor. I think the Mongols can be left off the hook for Russia's modern-day failings.

If that's not the explanation, what is the reason Russia has never made the transition to even a semblance of being a prosperous democracy? There are a lot of possible explanations, but these are not really explored in this book other than in the form of some almost offhand comments.

Personally, my choices for some of the reasons for Russia's failure to become a modern Western state would include: making the mistake of creating a multi-ethnic empire; growing so large in geographical area as to be almost ungovernable; creating a conservative, insular state religion (the Russian Orthodox Church) that complicated the business of running a multi-ethnic empire; failing to get rid of serfdom until very late in its history, centuries after it had disappeared in Western Europe; and being unlucky enough to fall under the sway of a handful of Marxist revolutionaries who, against all odds, managed to overthrow the state in 1917 and hold onto it through the Civil War that followed. The Bolshevik revolutionaries then proceeded to govern much worse than the regime they replaced.

[And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice overview of a survey of Russian history. Fairly positive about Russia. Not overly so.

Raises a few counter points to the superficial understanding that seems to be the natural reflex of a westerner (most obviously myself). I mean specifically understanding the Russian psyche, especially that of the ruling elite.

Interesting ideas that stood out:
* yes the Mongol yoke was there for 250 years, but Spain was Muslim for 700 years too
* yes the Russians are ruled with autocracy (this book does nothing to deflect or counter the people's expectations for being ruled) but Catherine the great was also a liberal reformer (implementing some rights and social security - TBD). Moreover, Moscow (and other principalities) had women regents under the Mongols (completely eradicated as practice afterwards).

All in all not a lot has changed my mind, but it's certainly added a bit of colour, softened the edges somewhat of my understanding.

Even the author says the Russian people think of themselves as chosen people to give civilisation to the world (convenient for Dugin-Putinist worldviews, or even, just is the way of thinking in Russian mir), by inheritance of Byzantium. But they are noble, supporting and friendly people. But also ruthless and treacherous, as their society necessitates it all.

It still seems Russia is a Greater Moscovian Empire. That they claim Russia has no borders does seem in line with the thesis of the books view of Russians, in my opinion.

I am always inclined to state, if only for personal benefit, Russians are not an enemy. However, Putinist's position themselves and likewise position the Anglo-Saxon-sea-power-atlanticists as enemies.

So, what is to be done?

[Daniel Austria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for you if you're fed up with hot takes and want to learn how Russia really works. Also, it is the mark of great storytelling. Braithwaite makes intricate history feel like an hourlong bender of a solid Netflix show.

The title is clever word play for me, as it refers to Russia's "unpredictable past" for a reason: few episodes in Russian history have been as subject reexamination and rewriting as they might be made to serve whatever political presentment may require. Here, Braithwaite skillfully lays out the malleability of history in Russia and how a historically fluctuating past has defined Russian self-identity alongside shaping Western perceptions.

This is the kind of book that matters at a moment in geopolitical history where the actions taken by Russia continue to reverberate around global political cultures, Braithwaite brings an experienced and well-informed perspective. The Welfare State Reader might well be the best place to start for a student of history, anyone in policy-making, and even anyone just trying to make sense of all the current goings on.

Crucial for those seeking to comprehend the most powerful and least understood nation on earth, this book is a perceptive examination of what happens when democracy meets terrorism. There is, perhaps, in our present world of global rancour and strife, a need for such understanding that has never been greater.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russia: Myths and Realities: The History of a Country with an Unpredictable Past has a clear theme: there is a throughline from the earliest inception of Russian cultural identity that still colors the current regime and shapes the Russia that we know today. It's compelling how parallels are drawn between current Russian diplomatic relationships and the Kievan Rus experience of the fall of the Byzantine Empire and Mongol subjugation.

I think that there are limitations to this type of framework, however. Roughly one thousand years of history has to fit into two hundred or so odd pages. The Russian experience does occasioanlly just get boiled down to whoever the ruling party is. The Russian populace is one amorphous character, always reactionary to external powers or the powerful personalities in the seats of power.

The prose is casual and approachable. I found myself engrossed, rapidly speeding through the chapters. As someone who was unfamiliar with Russian history, I found this to be a great resource to be exposed to its totality.

[Maria Grigoryeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly levelled off brief history of Russia for a book written by a foreigner. There is that bitter feeling inside most Russians (and the author touches on that as well) that we are so complicated that noone understands us, but judges harshly. It is short overview, but gives sufficient insight on why we are not protesting on the street awful deeds done in our name in the neighbouring country, it explains how again and again Russia goes to the next circle of pain and terror. It does feel like there is no way out and still the authors says we are no different from other European nations, there will be a moment to finally overgrow imperial itch. "Товарищ, верь, взойдет она...". I would happily suggest this book to my non-Russian friends if there want to have some more understanding of the ocountry and its people.

[Kym Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written and enjoyable, if a bit too brief, survey of Russian history, as seen by the Russians themselves (or at least this author’s best take on how the Russians themselves see their history).

Overall, the book was good, but it needed to be a bit longer, and the events post World War II, and especially post fall of Communism, were far too briefly covered to really offer the reader any insight into the myths and stories that modern Russians tell themselves. It also lacked a bit of nuance in the discussion of the Putin era.

What was good was the authors sense of optimism about Russia, that there is hope for the future, even if the present (and, indeed, most of Russia’s history) has been less than ideal, to say the least.

Overall: recommended as a good introduction to Russian history.

[Katy-Fay · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Star

I am this book was just so fucking boring like I feel like a bit of a bitch for giving this book one star but Jesus, I love Russian history and have quite a lot of knowledge on the topic and this book really doesn't add anything new and actually, it felt like it took out all the interesting parts of Russia history and quiet frankly felt like a money grab due to Russia's war with Ukraine and I was not about it.

"One thing only was sure. Russia's future would be shaped by the Russian people themselves, regardless of the hopes, fears and wishful thinking of foreigners.'- Rewriting History.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been intrigued with Russian history and the trials and tribulations of the people for quite a while now. The insight that the past provides into current events is startling in many ways. This book made very clear ties and connections between the two that really brought many events into the light.
I find it all so interesting, and for that reason I will continue to look for more and more books on the subject.
This was a very easy to read history. I gain a deeper understanding of events and circumstances with each book I read on the subject, and this one was a great addition to my collection.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative narrative summary of the history of Russia from its formation to the present - which includes the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The author writes from the perspective of a one-time British Ambassador and foreign policy advisor to the British Government. His judgments are well placed, reasonable and plausible. This book is recommended particularly for those who are unfamiliar with the history of Russia, but all readers will derive satisfaction from this authoritative overview.

[Louis-Philippe Assalian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author clearly approaches the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church from an outsider's perspective, which is clear from the way he discusses Christian history. This results in some inaccuracies, especially when covering the history of Christendom and his understanding of finer theological points. However, when it comes to Russia's history, the author seems more balanced. The overview of Russia’s long past comes across as more fair and grounded. Obviously, this book is not extensive, but it gives a good general idea of Russia's history.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, this is enjoyable and probably as much for the style of writing as the content. It's a gallop through Russia's history, picking up on the happenings that shape Russia and Russian thinking. History re-written to suit an agenda is not limited to Russia. A myth told often enough becomes the truth. A tight grip on the masses will see the truth etched into stone.

Today, I wonder how many see past the myth. The history of Russia will show that silence is not submission, it's wisdom.

[Jonathan Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A good general history of Russia. The author does a pretty sufficient job at condensing over a thousand years of history. However, sometimes the narrative would jump around too much from one set of years to the next, and some grammar/structure elements made the read confusing. The book does pick up towards the end as the more familiar story of the Russian Revolution, Stalin's rule, the eventual fall of the USSR and Russia's opening, and Putin's reign play out.

[Mariya T (msbookworld) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book both informative and nuanced when it came to Russian history and how it shaped the country and the people. While I do not agree with all the author’s conclusions I do think this is a great resources for people trying to understand the current Russia/Ukraine conflict

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best history of Russia I've read. Good length, well written. I really liked how the author will be describing events from far in the past and then do an aside of several pages where he points out how this has affected modern Russia or more recent parts of Russian history.

[Fenia42 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was like a bad summary in some points. Also, the writer insists in his opinion many times, although he does not justify his position. Nice for introduction to the Russian history, but not something special

[Henri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little bit of everything, not enough of anything.
Good little bit on Peter and Catherine the Greats.

[Mary Shackelford · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find it difficult to read after I read he referred to North America as “discovered” by Columbus! How many more lies are held within this book?

[Konstantin Bätz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction that serves as a basis for deeper reading of Russian history. Balanced and a good jumping off point.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative. A good read.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of the history of Russia which gives some context into the current situation in that part of the world. A lot of detail makes it not an easy read, but I have enjoyed learning more.

[Jaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and essential to understanding the current situation in the Ukraine. Really enjoyable read, and I've been suggesting this to the folk studying Russian Revolutions.