Russia and the Russians
Book Review
It seems to happen that, with the larger history books, I get waylaid by many of life's busyness, and it takes me quite a while to read them. Hosking's book is no exception.
Compared to the recent histories I have read, I was surprised that Russia's begins much later than these others (Persia, China, and India). I generally enjoyed Geoffrey Hosking's style, and I appreciated his effort at scholarly explanation and narrative style. Occasionally I felt that he recapitulated too often and with larger stroke than what my preference is. Perhaps folks who are more versed in Russian history than I am would find more value in this.
Geoffrey does a good job bringing us into the present with Putin in power, and you have a good feel for how that happened. I found the role of the Orthodox Church fascinating in Russian history fascinating, and I derived many lessons from this that I can apply to my current American context.
As is normal with the histories I have read, there are many helpful endnotes for further study. I'm glad I read the book, and I look forward to further study in the future.
I am nuts about books. I read on all kinds of topics. I attempt to review each book I read for the sake of my own enrichment as well as conversation starters with others.
You never know what you will find in an attic! Usually there is a hodgepodge of things buried under dust.
Most of what is included here are notes to myself. The majority of folks will not find interest in these posts.