Reviews (25)

Superb example of how history should be written
Salisbury gave us a monumental work of history: not just in scope, but in depth.This is a book which entwines the epic story with the human story, basing both on the kind of scholarship too few writers are dedicated enough to accomplish.I wrote a well-received history on the early satellites (The First Space Race, Texas A&M, 2004) which I was proud of, but I can't resist the feeling that Salisbury did as much research for every chapter as I did for an entire book.
Surviving the Deadliest Battle in Human History
If "war is hell," as General Sherman said, then at the innermost circle of hell you'll find the 900-day siege of Leningrad (now renamed St. Petersburg). It was, by all accounts, the deadliest battle in human history. More than 300,000 Soviet soldiers perished, plus uncounted thousands of Germans. Inside the blockade zone, an estimated 1.2 million civilians slowly starved to death as Hitler and Stalin used the city like a giant chess piece on the Eastern Front.
Good, but something missing
The first part of the book is fantastic in its description of the time leading up to Barbarossa, the simple shock the Soviets had and the almost refusal to believe by Stalin.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Military - World War II    6. Russia - History - 1917 To 1991    7. Saint Petersburg (Russia)    8. Siege, 1941-1944    9. European history: Second World War    10. Russia    11. Second World War, 1939-1945    12. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (24)

A Poor Book
Very little of this book actually deals with the flight of the Romanovs.The first one doesn't leave Russia until page 179 and most of the rest of the book deals with various Romanovs in exile after they fled.Absolutely trivial, useless anecdotes are abundant.It was impossible to keep all the players straight, partly because everyone had a nickname in addition to his/her given name.It would have been better to describe each branch of the family separately, rather than discussing everyone at once.

Fascinating
Absolutely fascinating book! It starts off long before Czar Nicholas. In telling the story of the extended royal family, it provides detailed accounts of what it was like to be there during tumultuous times.
The Romanovs Flee - Flight of Fancy

Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Biography: general    6. Biography: royalty    7. Russia   

Reviews (4)

Surprising and enlightening
I had never thought to find the link between German right wing movements and white emigres within Germany and Europe and what impact they had on the future Nazi Party and Hitler.This book was an unexpected find and a pleasant one at that.Not too difficult to read, somewhat repetitive but at the same time this makes it easier to keep track of all the 'characters' that the reader is introduced to.This book gives an excellent analysis on how the white emigres affected Hitler and his party and how without them Hitler might not have turned east or if he did might have done some things quite differently.What surprised me most was that before 1919 Hitler did not really say or write anything anti-semitic, in fact at times he defended Jews and even spoke like a socialist from time to time, which to a degree is less surprising since the Nazi party was a socialist party.I was also interested to learn of the assassination attempts undertaken by these white emigres against both Soviet politicians and German ones as well.Bottom line is that there is a lot of information here put into a context I never thought existed before, the book is expensive but in my opinion worth the money for the input it provides and the new view I now have of how Hitler came about with some of his ideas regarding Jews, Bolsheviks, and the Soviet Union.

Remarkable and unexpected
When one considers for what short period the German Army occupied the Ukraine after the treaty of Brest Litovsk, it is interesting how many White Russiancame out with the retreating German Armies.Their prejudices were a remarkable influence on the early Nazi Party in Munich, particularlythe ideasengendered by the Protocols of Zion. Until this book Scheubner-Richter had been written off as a body, the only one shot dead, marching alongside Hitler and Ludendorff in the 1923 attemptef Putsch. However it transpires that he was as great an influence on Nazi doctrine as Rosenberg ( normally described as just a Baltic-German Russian , butactually also a White Officer)
The Russian Roots of Nazism
In this highly enlightening book, Michael Kellogg argues that in becoming National Socialist Germany did not follow a special path predetermined by German culture. Rather, the genesis of National Socialism must be understood within the context of German defeat of WWI and the Bolshevik Revolution. The co-occurence of these events brought Baltic German and Russian Nationists to Germany where they joined v�lkisch leaders and radicalized the masses. Formerly fringe anti-Semitism was joined to anti-Bolshivism and became virulent. The book sits on original research done in German and Russian archives.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Anti-communist movements    3. Antisemitism    4. Aufbau (Organization)    5. Europe - General    6. Germany    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Political activity    11. Russians    12. Soviet Union    13. Fascism & Nazism    14. History / Europe / General    15. Russia   

Reviews (12)

Thorough perhaps but redundant
Contrary to what some other reviewers have stated, I do not believe Service goes out of his way to humanize Stalin.However, Service glosses over huge and momentous events, such as the Great Terror.We have all heard of the monstrous acts committed by Stalin but none of the details are given, other than numbers and names.It seems inconceiveable that a 600 plus page book would be superficial and lacking specificity but it does.One gets the feeling Service felt previous biographers had already provided the dirty details and therefore left them out.He also does not tell Stalin's story in any chronological manner.He jumps around endlessly.I cannot recommend this book.

Very well then--- a sane and accomplished monster
Many people may view Stalin as a blood-thirsty killer but the author's view is that Stalin "..was long practised in the art of solving public problems by means of the physical liquidation of those who embodied them." (page 471). Physical liquidation sounds so much better than murder, slaughter or killing. It is a much more civilized way to solve public problems.

Stalin as Communist Emperor
A very readable biography of Stalin that describes his entire life, from his beginnings in Georgia to the top of the Soviet Union. His relationship to Lenin and other members of the Bolshevik clique and his rise to power are all chronicled.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1879-1953    2. 1925-1953    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    8. Heads of state    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. Political    12. Presidents & Heads of State    13. Soviet Union    14. Stalin, Joseph,    15. Biography & Autobiography / Political    16. Biography: historical    17. European history: from c 1900 -    18. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    19. Political leaders & leadership   

Reviews (10)

Historical curiosity or product of a tormented mind or both...
This obscure book has been touted by followers of Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy and its fascination with the divine Sophia and the Slavic spirituality that engendered it.Andreev was a tortured man intellectually and spiritually even before the cruelties of the soviet regime were unleashed upon him.Be that as it may, his assessments of historical forces and events are odd at times and intellectually embarrassing at others.His assessment of slavery in America is clearly uninformed, and his suggestion of the pivotal role played by Harriet Beecher Stowe is laughable if it were not for a degree of sympathy for his suffering.But much of his thought is clearly a product of a insular middle class soviet sensibility.Other historical events are disturbingly quirky as seen through his orthodox Christic lens, including the development of Islam and other world events in which he attempts to show the esoteric shadows behind the forms on the world stage.Again, a connection that appeals to Steiner's followers.
Staggeringly profound and beautiful
This book answers all the nagging questions that prevent the thinking-person from being open to religion.At the same time, it paints pictures of worlds-- and implies possibilties for our world-- that are extremely beautiful.If you are able to hear what the author says, this book will change your life in the most positive ways.
Don't let this Rose slip by...
Despite my objections to his less-than-fair appraisals of womans' place in the world, Blacks, Africa and Islam (he has explanations for all of these), Daniel Andreev's message is Absolute GOOD. He is consistently fearless in sharing his visions of the hyperdimensional world (which we see only a minute fraction of), no matter how maniacal they may appear... Kudos to him for his strength. His interpetation of the worlds, monads and angels shared with him is filled with heavens, sub-heavens, purgatories and hells (-his Christian/ Orthodox faith possibly coloring his visions? Hardly relevant)... The gist is no less than a call for a World Church that embraces all faiths, so that mankind can finally end it's petty differences. Deep inside, Humanity (every one of us) has always known this. Let his miracles roll over our limited perceptions, and KNOW his appreciation for nature, basic understanding and love for the fellow man; for it was never only his, it's been all of ours... Words to begin a new world by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. Mysticism    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Philosophy    6. Philosophy Of History    7. Reference    8. Russia (Federation)    9. Russia - History    10. Spiritualism - General    11. Visionary & Metaphysical    12. Christian religious experience    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    14. Russia   

Reviews (2)

Anthropology that reads like a novel.
Vitebsky's book is a wonderful look at the life, lives and living conditions in an area of the world most of us would consider uninhabitable.While it is an anthropological study, it overflows with human feelings and contact that make this a truly unforgettable read.This truly shows the need for humans to coexist with nature, not rule it.
Tungus life
I don't know where exactly to put this book - it is partly a memoir, a travelogue, an anthropological study for the lay reader... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Cultural And Social Anthropology    5. Domestic animals    6. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    7. Evenki (Asian people)    8. Reindeer herding    9. Religion    10. Social Science    11. Social life and customs    12. Sociology    13. Spirituality - Shamanism    14. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Biography: historical    3. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    4. European history: from c 1900 -    5. Russia   

Reviews (10)

The Seeds of the Russian Revolution

Why you'll want to read this book, in three sentences
1. Radzinsky successfully weaves an interesting story into a larger analysis of the tendency toward autocracy that has historically plagued Russia.
It gets better to the end
This is a difficult book to get into.Some of it is the subject matter and the way it is introduced, and some is the style of the author.He warms to his subject as he gets to the end.Also, unless you are used to Russian names, all the Patronymics and family 'nicknames' can drive you to distraction.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1818-1881    2. Alexander    3. Alexander II, 1855-1881    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Eastern Europe - General    9. Emperor of Russia,    10. Emperors    11. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    12. General    13. Historical - General    14. History    15. II,    16. Monarchy And Aristocracy    17. Russia    18. Russia - History    19. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. 1895-    2. Correspondence    3. General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Russia (Federation)    7. Science    8. Scientists    9. Velikovsky, Immanuel,    10. Velikovsky, Immanuel, 1895-    11. Worlds in collision    12. History of science   

Reviews (1)

Usual slander against the liberator of the Jews
Whose Red Army freed the survivors of Hitler's death-camps? Whose Red Army defeated the most murderous anti-Semite of all time? Whose Red Army smashed 70% of Hitlers' army? The Red Army liberated Poland from the Nazi mass-murderers, freeing the Jews from Treblinka. Lazar Kaganovich, a Jew, was Stalin's deputy for years. Maxim Litvinov, a Jew, was his Foreign Minister for years. Stalin fought for his country, uniting all who could be united against the common capitalist foe. He fought against all those who opposed Soviet rule and tried to restore capitalism, whether they were Jewish, Muslim, Christian, atheist or Buddhist. The working class movement has always opposed any from of discrimination based on religion or 'race' (a nonsense term anyway). Empires and capitalists have always used 'divide and rule'; workers have always sought to 'unite and liberate'. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1879-1953    2. Antisemitism    3. History    4. History: World    5. Jews    6. Soviet Union    7. Stalin, Joseph,    8. Non-Classifiable    9. Stalin, Joseph    10. Views on Jews   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Avant-garde (Aesthetics)    4. Constructivism (Art)    5. Design - General    6. History - General    7. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    8. Productivism (Art)    9. Russia & Former Soviet Union    10. Russia (Federation)    11. Socialism and art    12. Art / History / Modern (late 19th Century to 1945)    13. Constructivism    14. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    15. Russia   

Subjects:  1. 1939-1945    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Soviet Union    7. World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989    3. Children's 12-Up - History - General    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Communism    6. Europe - Germany    7. Europe, Eastern    8. Germany (East)    9. History    10. History - Europe    11. History - General History    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Politics and government    14. Social Science - Politics & Government    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Europe   

Editorial Review

"The Battleship Potemkin," "By the Law," "Mother," "Earth," "Man With a Movie Camera," "Alexander Nevsky": Russia and the Soviet Union produced some of the greatest films the world has ever seen. Leyda has written a riveting history of the pioneers and artists who made these films.His acclaimed book tells the story of the industry that spawned them and the revolution that both inspired and crushed them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An admirable sum of devotion and constancy!
Yesterday evening I received by mail a long and unexpected gift. A golden friend sent me a reproduction of this treasured book. And that 's why I just slept few hours tonight, reading here and there the invaluable and remarkable information around the development of the Russian Cinema.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Book    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. Film & Video - History & Criticism    4. History    5. Motion pictures    6. Moving pictures    7. Performing Arts    8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    9. Soviet Union    10. Art and Architecture    11. Film Studies    12. Film theory & criticism    13. History-Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    14. Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism    15. Russia   

Reviews (2)

Performing admiration
The anthropological account of post-modern society offered in this book is certainly one of the best I encountered in recent years. By brilliantly and engagingly analyzing the late soviet society, the author provides us with original analytical insights into the peoples' relations with ideology, discourse and ritual. A perennial social laboratory for all kinds of cultural experiments, Russia in its soviet phase served A. Yurchak as an empirical field whereby to conceptualize the paradoxical, non-dichotomous and multi-layered post-modern social condition.Moreover, Yurchak joins the exclusive club of genial authors who succeeded in touching the intangible uniqueness of the "soviet experience" - i.e. everyday life, way of thinking, forms of language and power, performance of dream and fake. Thus, this reading is necessary for both the favorites of lively intellectual reading and for everyone who pretends to understand something about "Russians", even if they are already post-Soviet and therefore similar and close on the one hand, but different and inconceivable on the other.
A remarkable book
This is a very good ethnographic account of some important aspects of everyday life in the later years of Soviet Union. It is interesting, well written, the quality of the research is high, and the account is truly enlightening. As a researcher actively interested in East European ethnography I woud very much like to recommend it to readers looking for interesting and non-banal accounts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Civilization    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. History - General History    5. Intellectual life    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Social Science    8. Socialism and culture    9. Sociology    10. Soviet Union    11. Anthropology    12. European History    13. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. Russia    15. Social Science / Anthropology / General    16. c 1960 to c 1970    17. c 1970 to c 1980    18. c 1980 to c 1990   

Reviews (3)

Really insightful!Fantastic read and research book
This is a really good resource book to have.A friend gave it to me as a gift, and jsut as I thought I already knew everything about WWII, this book surprises me with new facts straight from Stalin and Roosevelt themselves!The book guides you through each president's thought process and how they dance through political fires with wit and strategy.Roosevelt is much more fascinating now that I see how he thinks.I wished this book has some pictures I can refer to.That will be even better.Highly recommended if you want to read about 2 impt leaders and WWII.

Because of its importance....its glimpse
If in content,not in tone, I completely agree with the review by Col. Szych. The story of the complete betrayal of the Polish nation is rarely taken up, and it is tremendous in its historical significance.
In Black and White--the Betrayal of Poland
The review you posted by Publishers Weekly literally made me want to gag. This book is not a "history junkie's delight"; it is the essence of Poland's 50 year nightmare from 1939 to 1989.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Correspondence    3. General    4. Heads of state    5. Historical - U.S.    6. History    7. History: American    8. Letters    9. Presidents    10. Sources    11. Soviet Union    12. United States    13. United States - General    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. European history: Second World War    16. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    17. History / General    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1897-1937    2. 20th century    3. Automobile travel    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. General    7. History    8. Il§f, Il§ëiìa,    9. Travel    10. Travel - United States    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Voyages And Travels    14. Art / General    15. Photography    16. Travel writing    17. USA   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. International    3. International Relations - Diplomacy    4. International Relations - General    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Central government policies    9. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    10. International relations    11. PUTIN, VLADIMIR, 1952-    12. Political Science / International Relations    13. RUSSIA (FEDERATION)_FOREIGN RELATIONS    14. RUSSIA (FEDERATION)_POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT    15. Russia   

Reviews (3)

A great textbook, but no fun to read...
I have this text for my class in Medieval Russia, and the professor helps greatly in understanding it.It would have been nice of Martin to be kinder to Western readers who have no idea what is going on in Russia.Better to get familiar with the primary sources like "The Lay of Igor's campaign"...its a more engaging way to start Russian History.Just so you know, her main thesis seems to be that Kievan Russia did have an understandable orderly royal succession policy, not based on random violence between the princes.

Useful introduction
This is a useful introduction to a subject which is poorly catered for in English, particularly the Kievan period.However, it starts abruptly (rather strangely) in 980, making no attempt whatever to explain theorigins of Rus.Although it guides the reader well through the confusingconflicts between the Riurikid princes before the Mongol invasions, its'traditional' view of a dynastic succession system has since beenquestioned (by Franklin and Shepard).The coverage of the Golden Horde andMuscovite periods presents less problems.Worth reading, especially forthose who know little about the subject.

Reads more like social science than history.
There is nothing medieval or Russian about the writing style, which is academic social science jargon circa 1995. Here is an example: "The approaches adopted by the young Ivan IV to regain political harmony wereshaped by dynastic interests." Passive voice and two technical terms.Sure sounds like social science. I would not read this book for pleasure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Ivan IV, 1533-1584    7. Medieval    8. Russia    9. To 1533    10. European history: c 500 to c 1500    11. History / Europe / General    12. Russia--History--To 1533   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Survey....or start
If this is the 7th Edition, the Author must be doing something right, or there simply aren't a whole lot of other books that present a broad historical chronicle of Russia. I suspect both are true. Great book to form a basis for further reading
John Lawrence's book provides a solid basis of information concerning the origin of Russia and the formation of her various governments.Information pertaining to more recent political events is not included, as the lastpublication date is 1993.Lawrence's book is handy and concise.It givesan overall picture of Russian cultural and political maturation, startingwith the Viking explorers. Lawrence's book does not get bogged down indetail.The biographical bits regarding Russian leaders are just enough toinspire interest without detracting too much from the flow of the book as awhole.He chronicles the difficult relationship between the church andvarious governments throughout the country's existence.He simplifiesRussian policitics, while providing a picture of the Russian mindset. Thisis a great jumping-off point for someone who wants to gain a generaltimeline of Russian leaders and events.Build your knowledge of Russianhistory by beginning here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: American    5. Russia    6. Russia - History    7. Soviet Union    8. History / Russia (pre- & post-Soviet Union)    9. World history