Suzanne Massie

This book should be seen more as an introduction to the idea of Russia and the Russians than as a comprehensive overview of Russian history—that it was written and published during the Cold War for a wide audience must be considered. It's a little light on the details even for the broad period it covers, but for those little familiar with pre-revolutionary Russia, it accomplishes its task. Massie's book does touch on Russia's political history at times, but it primarily highlights the achievements of the Russian people in particular as poets and composers and works to disspell a particular image of them still made relevant by vaguely Slavic movie villains and recent political events.

I wouldn't recommend this book to someone as a serious and unbiased introduction into Russian history, but to get to know the Russians as a people, it isn't a terrible starting point.… (plus d'informations)