Description
Book SynopsisBread upon the Waters chronicles how the unparalleled effort put into the building of a wide infrastructure to support the provisioning of the newly created but physically isolated city of St. Petersburg profoundly affected all of Russia's economic life and, ultimately, the historical trajectory of the Russian Empire as a whole.
Trade ReviewProvides a superb overview of eighteenth-century agriculture and trade in Russia and should be essential reading for those interested in the empire’s economic history."" -
Russian Review""As a study of internal market dynamics, Robert E. Jones's work offers new insights for anyone interested in not only economic history but also social and political history of the eighteenth century. . . . By focusing on the grain trade, Jones recovers the history of one of the largest sectors of the Russian economy and examines the equally important issue of logistics and supply within the empire."" -
Slavic Review""A far-ranging analysis of eighteenth-century Russian economic and social history. Jones shows not only how the regime toiled to feed a fast-growing but remote city but also how that essential task reflected broader state economic policy. Specialists in Russian history--and Europeanists more generally--will appreciate and value highly this original, carefully researched study of a long but unduly neglected subject."" -
The Historian""Jones' book in its theories encompasses much more than its title and core theme claim. In actuality, in the sum total of his research, the author touches upon one of the most important and profound questions of Russian history in a new era: to what extent the character and level of development of Russia and its policies allow it to be counted amongst European countries. The investigation into the supplying of bread to Petersburg leads the author to an unambiguously affirmative answer to that question."" -
Cahiers du Monde Russe""A fine study which merits a wide readership among specialists and students of Russian and European history."" -
Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies""This book deals with the problem posed in Russia by the newly created capital city of St. Petersburg for which there was no nearby source of foodstuffs. Jones provides the best synthesis available in English of the way agriculture was organized in Russia, and explores thoroughly all aspects of the production, marketing, shipment, and consumption of grain. There is a sophisticated discussion of the various and complicated changes in systems of production and social relations during the eighteenth century. In the process, a number of stereotypical assumptions about Russia are shattered, repositioning it among European states for the eighteenth century. To my mind this work will not be surpassed by anything for many decades. It is the last word."" - George E. Munro, Virginia Commonwealth University
""This book deals with the problem posed in Russia by the newly created capital city of St. Petersburg for which there was no nearby source of foodstuffs. Jones provides the best synthesis available in English of the way agriculture was organized in Russia, and explores thoroughly all aspects of the production, marketing, shipment, and consumption of grain. There is a sophisticated discussion of the various and complicated changes in systems of production and social relations during the eighteenth century. In the process, a number of stereotypical assumptions about Russia are shattered, repositioning it among European states for the eighteenth century. To my mind this work will not be surpassed by anything for many decades. It is the last word."" - Robert Geraci, University of Virginia
