The Human Tradition in Imperial Russia (The Human Tradition around the World series) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742537374 ISBN 13: 9780742537378

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009

Synopsis

This compelling set of essays presents richly human stories of individual and group experiences, as well as of key events in the history of Imperial Russia. Beginning with Peter I's dress reforms in the early eighteenth century and concluding with poets arising out of a stratified and largely urban working class between the revolutions of 1905 and 1917, the essays introduce readers to many of the major changes in Imperial Russian history and their consequences. We see the effects of reforms; the consequences of an economy and society built on serfdom; as well as the development of a civil society, the "woman question," urbanization, secularization, and modernity.

At the same time, the contributors' nuanced reconstruction of personal and group histories provides important correctives to the traditional grand narratives of Russian history. These microhistories reveal individuals' daily negotiations with authority figures, be they government officials, religious leaders, individuals of another class, or even members of their own class. As this book vividly shows, individuals, groups, and events raised out of obscurity remind us of the messiness of everyday life; of people's dreams, frustrations, and transformations; as well as of their sense of self and the community around them.

Contributions by: Rodney D. Bohac, Barbara Alpern Engel, ChaeRan Y. Freeze, William B. Husband, Laura L. Phillips, David L. Ransel, Christine Ruane, Rochelle G. Ruthchild, Rebecca Spagnolo, Mark D. Steinberg, Elise Kimerling Wirtschafter, and Christine D. Worobec

About this title

About the Author:

Christine D. Worobec is Board of Trustees Professor and Distinguished Research Professor at Northern Illinois University.

Review:

Without exception, all of the essays in this collection are eminently readable and each provides keen insights into Russian society and history. . . . Will fascinate general readers, students of all ages, social historians, and anyone interested in Russian history. . . . Useful as a supplemental text in college-level courses in Russian history, as well as social history and anthropology courses. (Boris Segel History In Review)

Historians of Anglo-Russian relations and Protestantism in early nineteenth century Russia will find much of interest here. (Susan Smith-Peter The Russian Review)

There is much to recommend this slim volume for the general public aware of only the most basic details of imperial Russian social history. Worobec has done a splendid job of editing the book and has provided each chapter with a useful abstract, set of questions, and suggested readings that are mostly in English. Additionally, each contribution is brief and written in a lively and engaging style. . . . As a whole, this volume succeeds in placing Imperial Russia within the human tradition. (Canadian Slavonic Papers)

Benefiting from a treasure-trove of archival sources, these twelve wide-ranging analyses offer abundant insights into individual and collective lives under tsardom. The volume showcases the ample intellectual rewards of intertwining personal narratives with national policies and imperial aspirations. (Helena Goscilo, University of Pittsburgh)

Some of the most important issues of Imperial Russian history are best illustrated by looking carefully at aspects and episodes of everyday life. In this superb collection, well-known scholars explore the Russian 'human condition' in fascinating and informative detail. Christine Worobec has provided us with a marvelous teaching tool as well as a volume of first-rate scholarship. (William G. Rosenberg, University of Michigan)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0742537374
• ISBN 13: 9780742537378
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198
• Editor: Worobec Christine D.