Reviews for History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-First Century, Third Edition

The average rating for History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-First Century, Third Edition based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-04-04 00:00:00 Richard Vinal Having previously read Robert Service's Lenin, and Comrades, I had already begun to consider Service as the most scholarly authority on modern Russia, and this expertly written volume cements my opinion of him. The work is neither too long, but perhaps, at over 570 pages, it is perhaps too short as it leaves the reader wanting more. Covering the entire 20th Century and the first decade of the 21st, Service leaves no stone unturned. All the major personalities and forces for change are included, and certain parts that may be a cause for digression, such as WWII, are kept within an appropriate length for a broad ranged study. Robert Service, while notably a scholar not known to place faith in the communist ideology, is nonetheless sensitive to the different opinions of the various segments of the population who are nostalgic for the days of old. A central problem Service identifies is corruption, that became endemic under the Brezhnev era with complacent, irresponsible management, and supplementing of income from other, often illegitimate, sources. Service reveals that by the time of the Brezhnev era, a deep cynicism was inbedded in the leadership that had scant regard for the actual ideals of communism, and instead sought little more than to preserve their hold on power. Such logic was behind the selection of the deathly ill Chernenko in the Kremlin succession of 1984, merely as a means to forestall a shakeup of the Soviet hierarchy. Service gives coverage to the Perestroika era, which is similar to his study in Comrades, but perhaps with more detail. From the breakup of the USSR he covers the power struggles, and uncertainty of the Yeltsin era, and take the readers up to and including the succession of Medvedev and the 2008 5 day war in Georgia. Service is praising of Russia's achivements in the post Soviet era, and is reasonably optimistic of Russia's future. One cannot discern as to whether Service is a Russophile, though this reader, if asked, would say not. However, Services lack of cultural preference perhaps gives the work a greater sense of objectivity. As a reader who has read various studies of Russian history, both within education and at leisure, this ranks as one of the best, and certainly the best comprehensive study. Recommended for both experienced Russia hands, or those with a Russia curiosity.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-01-27 00:00:00 Steven Coleman A splendid book on a remarkable country. What a history that country had in the twentieth century and what repercussions it had on the entire world! It is hard to think of another country - including the United States - that had more of an impact on world politics. Robert Service covers it all superbly. He points out that Lenin was no moralist or humanitarian. It was Lenin who coined the term "dictatorship of the proletariat" which meant NO to democracy, NO to elections; and as the term implies a dictatorship by an authoritarian state. The secret police was integral in Lenin's agenda. Mr. Service also points out that Russia (Soviet Union) was always a dual society. The top levels had only limited knowledge of what occurred away from the centre. At the bottom, reports and statistics were embellished to accord with the desires of the upper ruling stratas. This made corruption endemic at all layers of society - for the lower classes it would be the only way to survive. Khrushchev is portrayed as a partial reformer. It must be remembered that both Khrushchev and Brezhnev continued the repression in Eastern Europe. Gorbachev had the moral courage to stop this. The only drawback is that little is mentioned on the invasion of Afghanistan and the role it played in the demise and fracturing of the Soviet Union.