Nicholas V. Riasanovsky (1923–2011)

A clear and modest but wide-ranging, incisive, and stimulating essay in comparative literature, especially on the eternal problem of German and English early romanticism, with some discussion of Russia. Riasanovsky identifies the core of early romanticism with pantheism (or, as he often adds, panentheism, which counts the world as a part but not all of God). But the value of his argument sees to be less in that abstract claim than in the order that it imposes on familiar romantic elements: show more nature, fragment, self, death, love, as well as on the history of romanticism's rise and fall. He cleverly postpones the discussion of philosophy and politics to the end, thus challenging the simplistic idea that romanticism "emerged" from German idealism or the French Revolution in any obvious way. show less

I liked the comprehensive overview feel in the beginning of the book because it felt like I was building scaffolding for further study in specifics. The later periods focused heavily on the leaders and I didn’t feel like I could ground myself in the time period as much. Probably because we have so much information about it. Overall I wish there was more of an overarching narrative of that makes sense? Idk it’s past midnight and I’m reviewing a Russian history textbook

This book was a very fair and comprehensive introduction to the history of Russia from its earliest origins through to today. The authors did a very good job of remaining impartial even when approaching highly controversial subjects, such as the relationship between Russia and the Ukraine; they were nearly always careful to provide both (or more) perspectives on such contentious issues. I also especially appreciated the authors' explanations of Russian culture in the various periods and show more their references to specific pieces of art, poetry, literature, etc. This was very helpful in following the developments of Russian thought and society and in conducting additional research. Happily, it also exposed me to several excellent composers and writers with whom I was previously unfamiliar.

Though their treatment of the Soviet Union was a decent introduction to the topic, I would have liked to have seen a more thorough treatment of the matter, especially one that gave a better “on the ground” perspective. In previous and later chapters of the book, the authors seem to take pains to provide us with a picture of the way the average Russian lived during a given period of Russian history, but their treatment of the average Russian under the Communists is insufficient and incomplete. I would also like to have seen the sections covering the life of the Russian Orthodox Church expanded, though this might reflect my own interests more than any insufficiency on the part of the authors. Overall, I can say that I recommend this book as a worthwhile starting place for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Russia. After reading this book and digesting the overview it provides, one can then dig a bit deeper into the more thorough treatments of more specific topics, a great deal of which they authors list in their extensive bibliography. show less

This is an academic textbook that covers the history of Rus/Russia to approximately 2010. Its covers both classic history but also culture of each time period. The authors are well read and sometimes appear to be unable to strongly favor any point of view. It is less straightforward than Russia and Russians which is a more one opinion work. I enjoyed learning a lot. The only flaw/disappointment was how they dealt with Stalin or rather did not deal with him. From reading this text one would show more not get the impression of who or what Stalin was.

All and all a good read for anyone wanting an english text that deals with Russian and particularly good are the insights into culture in different time periods. show less