Whenever huge events like wars and revolutions occur it often seems, in retrospect, that the preceding events have been inevitably leading to the final result and no possible others. This is generally not the case, however, and it certainly is not the case in Russia during the Revolutions of 1917. The events preceding this certainly helped the outcome, but they did not prescribe it, preventing another outcome. End results are often just the final product of a series of unrelated, oft-times...

The Medieval, or "Dark", Ages are generally thought of as a barbarous time in our history. Many would simply like to view this period as a void between the splendor and knowledge of Greek and Roman times and the Renaissance. How is it, then, that the embodiment of higher knowledge-- the institution of the University -- arose out of this period?

Much of Vasili III's reign lies in relative obscurity. However, his none-too-inconsequential achievements tend to be overshadowed by the more conspicuous reigns of his father, Ivan III (the Great), and of his son, Ivan IV (the Terrible). It may thus be said Vasili III's reign can be characterized somewhere between these two adjectives. His accomplishments do not lie as great in aspects of unification (though it must be noted here that though generally being credited as the unifier of the M...

The question of the nature of the Muscovite town takes on greater importance than may seem at first glance. Beyond the superficial description of the urban centre, of the nature of townsmen and town administration, lies the controversial question of economic development. What stage of economic development had the Russian town reached on the evolutionary Marxist ladder? In a state that purports to be Communist, the question cannot be ignored.

February 23rd, 1917 was one of the most important days of the twentieth century. On February 23rd -- International Women's Day, and lasting through until February 27th -- the city of Petrograd went on strike, rebelled against the Tsarist government and overthrew it. Support quickly came from the countryside. Tsarist Russia had fallen. It sparked a series of protests and agitations that culminated in the Bolshevik revolution of October. The process whereby Russian society was to be totally ...

Often the drama of the October Revolution and the Bolshevik seizure of power overshadow the disastrous Russian-German war that preceded it and the extended, confusing, many-sided civil war between the Reds and the Whites that followed. But Nik Cornishs vivid photographic history gives equal coverage to each of these momentous events and shows how the Russian empire of the Romanovs was transformed into the Soviet dictatorship. Contemporary photographs show the leading characters in the dram...

The Russian Civil War was arguably the most important civil war of the 20th century, changing the lives of over half a billion people and dramatically shaping the geography of Europe and Asia.Over a four-year period 20 countries battled in a crucible that would give birth to Communist revolutions worldwide and the Cold War. David Bullock offers a fresh perspective on this conflict, examining the forces involved, as well as the fascinating intervention by Allied for...

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.In 1917 the world changed forever. One of the most influential and contentious events in recent history, the Russian Revolution unleashed the greatest political experiment ever conducted, one which continues to influence both Eastern and Western politics today.The Russian Revolution: History in an Hour neatly covers all the major facts and events giving you a clear and straightforward overview: from the circumstances beh...

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.Having suffered during World War One – not only the indignities of political betrayal and battlefield defeat but also starvation, fuel shortages and a domestic flu epidemic – the German people were left in widespread discontent. Soon inflation and economic stagnation had further sunk the nation into exhaustion, humiliation and disillusionment.Capitalizing on the nation’s instability, the Nazi Party, led by the embittered...

**Winner of the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize"A superb and immensely important book."—Jonathan Yardley, The Washington PostThe Second World War might have officially ended in May 1945, but in reality it rumbled on for another ten years...**The end of World War II in Europe is remembered as a time when cheering crowds filled the streets, but the reality was quite different. Across Europe, landscapes had been ravaged, entire cities razed, and more than thirty mil...

“Year Zero is a remarkable book, not because it breaks new ground, but in its combination of magnificence and modesty.” —Wall Street JournalA marvelous global history of the pivotal year 1945 as a new world emerged from the ruins of World War IIYear Zero is a landmark reckoning with the great drama that ensued after war came to an end in 1945. One world had ended and a new, uncertain one was beginning. Regime chan...

From the bestselling author of The Ascent of Money and The Square and the Tower"Even those who have read widely in 20th-century history will find fresh, surprising details." —The Boston Globe"A fascinating read, thanks to Ferguson's gifts as a writer of clear, energetic narrative history." —The Washington PostAstonishing in its scope and erudition, this is the magnum opus that Nia...