Russia

Over the past century alone, Russia has lived through great achievements and deepest misery; mass heroism and mass crime; over-blown ambition and near-hopeless despair – always emerging with its sovereignty and its fiercely independent spirit intact.

In this book, leading Russia scholar Dmitri Trenin accompanies readers on Russia’s rollercoaster journey from revolution to post-war devastation, perestroika to Putin’s stabilization of post-Communist Russia.

  Explaining the causes and the meaning of the numerous twists and turns in contemporary Russian history, he offers a vivid insider’s view of a country through one of its most trying and often tragic periods.

  Today, he cautions, Russia stands at a turning point – politically, economically and socially – its situation strikingly reminiscent of the Russian Empire in its final years. For the Russian Federation to avoid a similar demise, it must learn the lessons of its own history.

Review

"Trenin's succinct, balanced, and thoughtful book is a valuable guide to modern Russian history as seen from the other side."Sir Rodric Braithwaite, former British ambassador in Moscow and author of Armageddon & Paranoia: The Nuclear Confrontation"A brilliant, concise interpretation of 120 years of Russian history, plus an insightful look at the future. Essential reading for all concerned about the dangerous – and unnecessary – revival of Cold War tensions."Jack Matlock, former US ambassador and author of Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended“Admirably succinct and thought-provoking”Edward Lucas, The Times“Trenin provides a succinct account of Russia’s turbulent twentieth-century history in this informative book.”Angela Stent, Survival