Wow! eBook
The Human Tradition in Imperial Russia
Author(s): Christine D. Worobec
- Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (UK)
- Publication Date: 1 Jan. 2009
- Language: English
- Print length: 198 pages
- ISBN-10: 9780742537361
- ISBN-13: 0742537366
Book Description
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
Editorial Reviews
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.
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
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
