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A History of Russia: From Peter the Great to Gorbachev cover art

A History of Russia: From Peter the Great to Gorbachev

Written by: Mark Steinberg, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Mark Steinberg
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Publisher's Summary

It's difficult to imagine a nation with a history more compelling for Americans than Russia. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, this was the nation against which we measured our own nation's values and power and with whom war, if it ever came, could spell unimaginable catastrophe for our planet.

Yet many Americans have never had the opportunity to study Russia in depth, and to see how the forces of history came together to shape a future so different from the dreams of most ordinary Russian people, eager to see their nation embrace Western values of progress, human rights, and justice.

Now a much-honored teacher has created a series of 36 lectures designed to give you one of the deepest glimpses into Russia you've ever had - a vivid journey through 300 years of Russian history as seen through the eyes of her own people. You'll discover historical themes made clear not by discussing treaties, war declarations, or economic statistics - but by examining the lives and ideas of the men and women who were Russia: tsars, emperors, Communist Party leaders, writers, artists, peasants, and factory workers.

You'll grasp what Russian life was like as Professor Steinberg analyzes ideas of power not only from the viewpoint of its rulers, but also from that of the ruled; the theme of happiness and its pursuit that resonates throughout Russian history, and ideas of morality and ethics as wielded by both the Russian state and its critics.

And you'll listen as he brings alive the vibrant Russian imagination - so willing to visualize a different kind of life for its people, yet so burdened by its darker sides of doubt and pessimism that those visions were rejected.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

What listeners say about A History of Russia: From Peter the Great to Gorbachev

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Misses Key Elements in Russian History!

The Author, is interesting and knowledgeable, but he clearly has his own agenda. He covers elements of tertiary relevance in great detail, like the futurists. While glossing over major elements we have interest in or not talking about them at all. For example, Stalins reconquest of Eastern Europe with little or no pushback from the west. The invasion of Afghanistan. Why was the decision taken, what problems were encountered, what the stimulus to withdraw finally was. The entire Cold War is barely touched. The Cuban Missle Crisis. After good detail on the careers of Nicololas the 2nd, Lenin, and Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev are not discussed at all; in terms of who these men were, how they came to power and their governance. Why was Khrushchev forced out? Who was behind it? Foreign policy gets little love. The entire drive to bring communism to other countries not mentioned. The Russian involvement in bringing Communism to China and the rise of Mao.. NOT MENTIONED AT ALL. The subsequent conflicts with China... NOT MENTIONED. The drive to show superiority at sports and rampant government sponsored drug cheating. Even back to Peter the Great. The effect of the Streltsy elite guard rebellion and the creation of Peter’s Preobrazhensky guard. Not mentioned. The importance of Peter’s development of a Navy for Russia gets little love. Peter authorizing the execution of his own son... NOT MENTIONED. The conflicts in general get almost no attention outside of WWII. Peters wars with Sweden and the Ottomans. Catherine II’s conflicts with the Ottomans and The Holly Roman Empire. The Nepoleanic Wars get some attention, but not enough. The Crimean War gets almost no love. The asiatic peoples of Russia and their culture and relationship to European Russia get little mention or discussion. What he talked about wasn’t bad, its what he didn’t talk about that makes me angry and this work VERY incomplete as a true general history of Russia.

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A Western view on Eastern European History

One can see why the writer no longer teaches at Harvard and has retreated to Illinois. Akin to a Russian writer drawing up a history of the United States.

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Excellent history of Russia!

Excellent, informative, well paced and perfect for anyone looking to get into Russian history! I went in knowing nothing about the country's history so this course was perfect.
#Audible1

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A great gateway into modern Russian history

If you would like a great intro course into the history of Russia, I recommend this lecture series

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A compelling story of the history of the Russians

Mark Steinberg has the ability to talk for over 18 hours and keep the stories he tells about the Russians fresh and interesting
I highly recommend a listen to this

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