Is Russian history one big inevitable failure? The Soviet Union's demise and Russia's ensuing troubles have led many to wonder. But this is to look through a skewed prism indeed. In this provocative and elegantly written short history of Russia; Marshall Poe takes us well beyond the Soviet haze deep into the nation's fascinating--not at all inevitable; and in key respects remarkably successful--past. Tracing Russia's course from its beginnings to the present day; Poe shows that Russia was the only non-Western power to defend itself against Western imperialism for centuries. It did so by building a powerful state that molded society to its military needs. Thus arose the only non-Western path to modern society--a unique path neither "European" nor "Asian" but; most aptly; "Russian." From the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries; Russia prevailed despite unparalleled onslaughts by powerful Western armies. However; while Europe nurtured limited government; capitalism; and scientific and cultural revolution; early Russian society cultivated autocracy and command economics. Both Europe and Russia eventually created modern infrastructures; but the European model proved more productive and powerful. The post-World War I communist era can be seen as a natural continuation of Russia's autocratic past that; despite its tragic turns; kept Russia globally competitive for decades. The Russian moment in world history thus began with its first confrontations with Europe in the fifteenth century; and ended in 1991 with the Soviet collapse. Written with verve and great insight; The Russian Moment in World History will be widely read and vigorously debated by those who seek a clear and unequivocal understanding of the complex history that has made Russia what it is today.
#1124008 in Books Princeton University Press 2001-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x .86 x 6.10l; 1.07 #File Name: 0691086842352 pages
Review
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. One StarBy Cassandra Hboring5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. One of the best available books on this topicBy J. FosterGellately and Stolzfus present a collection of thoroughly researched analyses of the nuts and bolts of Nazi policies of negative integration. The book is an excellent contribution to the study of the techniques used by the propagandists and bureaucrats of the National Socialist regime to isolate and target those that the regime designated as less then fully human. Richard Evans's discussion of the history of social exclusion in Germany since the 17th century provides an excellent backdrop to contributions that address Nazi policies toward Jews; women; Sinti and Roma people; homosexuals; and the disabled (as well as others). The contributors are all major figures in their respective disciplines; and the essays themselves are well written and accessible.It is worth mentioning that the cover photo was poorly selected. It is a picture of a German woman and her child from 1944. While it is unlikely that they were "social outsiders" in the sense discussed by the book; the claim of another reviewer that they are "in all likelihood" expellees also lacks foundation. That reviewer's criticism of the choice of image is then vitiated by a very grim (and wholly inappropriate)implication that the fate of of ethnic German expellees in the years after the war somehow balances out systematically pursued Nazi policies of extermination. The story of the Vertriebenen was tragic; but it has been the subject of extensive and reputable research; and it has no bearing whatever on the quality of research in Gellately and Stolzfus's book (which is excellent).3 of 10 people found the following review helpful. anyone can read thisBy Damaris Martinezthis is a good book. i bought it for a college class im taking. i love the fact that its not biased and also focuses on other areas that contributed to the "Arynization" Hitler was hoping to develop. I reccomend it for reference purposes or just leisure.
