13 best books on Russian history

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Works about key events in the history of our country and the people who left their mark on it.

1. “Slavs. Old Russian people. Historical and archaeological research ", Valentin Sedov

The famous Russian archaeologist Valentin Sedov made a huge contribution to the study of the ethnogenesis of the Slavs. In this edition you will get acquainted with two of the most famous works of the Slavic scholar. They cover the time period from the first century BC to the early Middle Ages. From the book you will learn when the independent path of the Slavs began and how separate ethnic groups and languages were formed.

2. "Illustrated Russian history", Vasily Klyuchevsky

The great Russian historian, academician and professor at Moscow University considered history to be a warden, severely punishing for ignorance of the lessons. The course of lectures presented in the book was first published in 1904. The contemporary edition is accompanied by colorful illustrations based on old prints and drawings.

The author not only clearly and interestingly describes the main milestones in the history of Russia, but also offers a convincing analysis, and also expresses his own opinion about the events.

3. "Genghis Khan", Vasily Yan

For the novel, which deals with the conquest of Central Asia, Vasily Yan, a Russian and Soviet writer, received the Stalin Prize in 1942. The Mongol ruler Genghis Khan defeated the rich and powerful Khorezm kingdom, getting close to the Polovtsian steppes, and later to the borders of Russia. This is how the confrontation between the two strongest opponents began, which lasted for hundreds of years.

Vasily Yan's novel has become a classic of Soviet historical prose and does not lose popularity in our time.

4. "The Word about Igor's Regiment", unknown author

This is the greatest monument of the literature of Ancient Rus. The plot is based on the unsuccessful campaign of the Russian princes led by Igor Svyatoslavovich against the Polovtsians in 1185. The most famous part of the work is the lament of Yaroslavna, the young wife of Prince Igor. The episode reflects the pain of all Russian mothers and wives for the soldiers who left the battlefield.

"The Lay of Igor's Host" is a work that gives an idea not only of historical events, but also of the character of our distant ancestors.

5. "History of the Russian State", Nikolay Karamzin

Historian and writer Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin devoted more than 20 years of his life to this work. The work describes the history of the country from ancient times to the Time of Troubles and the reign of Ivan the Terrible (1613). The book is adapted for the modern reader and is provided with rich illustrations that give a vivid idea of the events and people described by the author.

6. "Historical Miniatures", Valentin Pikul

Valentin Savvich Pikul is a famous Russian and Soviet writer, author of many works on a historical theme. The Historical Miniatures series is a kind of portrait gallery. In very short novels and stories, according to the writer's widow, biographies of personalities who have played a significant role in the history of Russia are compressed.

The miniature could be born overnight, but its appearance was preceded by years of painstaking work and careful collection of information. In total, the series includes more than 50 works.

7. "Young Russia", Yuri German

Screenwriter and playwright Yuri German wrote a novel about the beginning of changes in the era of Peter the Great for more than 10 years. The author shows historical events through the fate of the main characters Ivan Ryabov and Seliverst Ievlev. German spent four years in Arkhangelsk, where the pomor and feedman Ivan Ryabov came from. The author studied archives, worked in libraries.

The novel attracts with a clear depiction of the characters of the heroes and a detailed description of the life and way of life of the inhabitants of the Russian North.

eight."History of the Russian State", Boris Akunin

This is a series of nine-volume books devoted to different periods in the history of Russia: from the Mongol invasion to the collapse of the empire. The author's goal is to retell the story objectively, while maintaining the accuracy of the facts, but at the same time freeing himself from any ideological influence. Professional historians attribute the series to the genre of folk history (pseudoscientific works), but fans of the writer will certainly appreciate the corporate style of presentation, which seems to revive the heroes and events of the past.

Especially for those who love historical riddles and puzzles, the author has released "The History of the Russian State in Stories and Novels." This is a real delight for the mind and soul.

9. "Dynasty without make-up", Edward Radzinsky

"Dynasty Without Makeup" is a series dedicated to prominent representatives of the Romanov dynasty, including the last Emperor Nicholas II. The Russian writer, playwright and screenwriter has been writing books about the history of Russia since the 90s. Radzinsky approaches his work with particular care: he visits archives, examines documents and collects all sorts of details that will increase the viewing angle.

The story is interesting to Radzinsky from an educational point of view. The author often gives his own assessment of certain events, and also tries to show the human side of famous historical figures.

10. “The history of Russia from Rurik to Putin. People. Developments. Dates ", Evgeny Anisimov

Evgeny Anisimov is a historian, Doctor of Science and Professor of the St. Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2000 he was awarded the prestigious Antsifer Prize for his contribution to modern local history. The book describes the history of the country from ancient times to the present day. Additional sections are devoted to famous historical figures and major dates.

The author's living language and his authoritative comments will help readers remember what they learned in school history lessons and take a different look at those events that seem familiar and understandable.

11. "Two ways of Russia", Richard Pipes

Richard Pipes is a renowned American political scientist, former director of the Research Center for Russian Studies at Harvard University, author of dozens of articles on the history of the USSR. In the new book, the author expresses his point of view on the possible ways of development of modern Russia. Pipes thoroughly examines two options, proposes solutions, and points out the uniqueness of our country's historic chance.

12. “All the Kremlin army. A Brief History of Modern Russia ", Mikhail Zygar

The book by the Russian writer, director and political journalist immediately became a bestseller. In 2016, she was twice a laureate of the Runet Book Prize in the Bestseller and Best Digital Book categories. The book is based on documents and interviews that the author took from the closest circle of Vladimir Putin.

13. “Choosing your story. Forks on the path of Russia: from Rurik to oligarchs ", Igor Kurukin, Irina Karatsuba, Nikita Sokolov

Russian historians Igor Kurukin, Irina Karatsuba and Nikita Sokolov present a collection of essays on the many historical forks that have appeared on the country's path for many centuries. These are not versions of what could have been, not an alternative history, but discussions about the problem of historical choice, about the philosophy of the spirit of the people and about what events this very spirit and the famous Russian soul has led and is leading to.

We can say that this work is about the education of the nation by history and the ability of people to draw conclusions from different situations and lessons.