Russia And The Soviet Union: An Historical Introduction From The Kievan State To The Present, Third Edition

This book presents a brief, lucid account of Russian and Soviet history from ancient Kievan Rus to Boris Yeltsin's dispersal of the anti-reform parliament. Thompson's balanced treatment pays equal attention to the early and modern periods of Russian history. This new, thoroughly revised edition reassesses the legacy of the Brezhnev period, looks at the crucial transitional role of Mikhail Gorbachev, analyzes the dramatic breakup of the Soviet Union, and provides an overview of the emergence of a non-communist Russia.
The text is supplemented with maps and illustrations and includes bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Designed for use by students in either a one- or two-semester introductory course in Russian history, Russia & the Soviet Union will also be valuable to any reader seeking to become acquainted with the story of the Russian people - their tribulations and courage, their tragedies and triumphs, and their remarkable contribution to European and world culture.