Russia: People and Empire: 1552–1917

‘It is unlikely that a clearer, more stimulating account of the Russians’ extraordinary period of imperial history will be written.’ Philip Marsden, Spectator

Geoffrey Hosking’s landmark book provides us with a new prism through which to view Russian history by posing the apparently simple question: what is Russia’s national identity?

Hosking answers this with brilliant originality: his thesis is that the needs of Russia’s empire prevented the creation of a Russian nation. The Tsars, and before them the Grand Dukes of Moscow, were empire builders rather than nation builders and, as consequence, profoundly alienated ordinary Russians.

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• ISBN: 9780006383727
• Number of pages: 576
• Weight: 402g
• Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 38 mm