Customer Reviews

An excellent guide to over a century of Russian history. - By: , 16 Jul 2001
Having read this book with the intention of finding a text suitable for A-level study of twentieth century Russia, I was intensely pleased to have read this work.

The book is a comprehensive resource for any event within twentieth century Russia, & is particularly spectacularin its analysis of the rise of Lenin. It has not only a detailed account of the events, but also a quite thorough examination of political & social atmosphere at the time. This lends the author's writing a previously unseen edge within this field (or at least to the best of my knowledge),in giving the reader in-depth evaluation of the various happenings, whilst not stifling individual conclusions as to the nature of events. In terms then, of both study & teaching, the resource does not restrict itself as to the breadth of its use.

Furthermore, while the text is erudite it does not adopt an unwelcome, didactic tone that is so frequently encountered within books of this nature, but rather remains inviolably accessible, without patronisation. This is indeed reflectedin the book's layout - a decent structure is maintained throughout, meaning fast retrieval of necessary information, without impediment of the general flow of the text.

A part of this pleasing structure is the continual use of excellent pictoral sources to demonstrate the sentiments & conditions of the populous of the time. Although this may be thought of as standardin a book of this genre, the refreshing alteration from other texts is the avoidance of overly simplistic photographs etc. that make only the blandest of points. The author here has chosen visual sources that demand greater attention than those otherwhere found: the imagery avoids the rather trite tendencies of similar works, & rather than using photographs to illustrate base points, they are used instead to convey accurately more complex historical themes & ideas. This complemements the text superbly.

These elements are brought together to create a perfecly balanced bookin every way, though if forced to find criticism, the events preceding the dissolution of the USSR is perhaps less detailed than the rest of the book. However, given that the book covers such a vast expanse of time, this can hardly be held to its detriment. This is especially pertinent given that the remainder is truly excellent, & the text relating to Lenin is undoubtedly one of, if not as indeed I am convinced, the, finest relating to this period,in this genre.

This work is utterly commendable, & is perfectly suited to higher-level study of Russian history. It is an admirable piece, & to the best of my knowledge, is unparalleled within its target audience & field.