Description
Book SynopsisIt is unlikely that a clearer, more stimulating account of the Russians' extraordinary period of imperial history will be written.' Philip Marsden, SpectatorGeoffrey Hosking's landmark book provides us with a new prism through which to view Russian history by posing the apparently simple question: what is Russia's national identity?Hosking answers this with brilliant originality: his thesis is that the needs of Russia's empire prevented the creation of a Russian nation. The Tsars, and before them the Grand Dukes of Moscow, were empire builders rather than nation builders and, as consequence, profoundly alienated ordinary Russians.
Trade Review‘Hosking’s book is a tour de force of historical argument, vividly written [and] courageously argumentative.’ Michael Ignatieff, Observer
‘Brilliant…an elegantly written, humane and rigorous work of empirical history.’ Michael Burleigh, Independent on Sunday
‘“Russia: People and Empire” is the most interesting and authoritative account of Russian imperial history in English. It is a masterful synthesis, intelligent and lucid, passionately argumentative, but always fair, which should be read by everyone who wants to understand the origins of Russia’s predicament today.’ Orlando Figes, The Times
