Russia Books

This is the definitive source for an unbiased account of the Russian Revolution. Volume one of a three volume series, it covers the origins of the Bolshevik party to and through the taking of power in 1917. The most immediately apparent attribute to this work is its even handedness; this is the place to go if you want an account of what really happened, not the traditional right-wing or left-wing spin.

I was forced to read this book, in that I took a class taught by the author. Fortunately, I didn't have to steel my soul and tell her to her face that it reeked (not that I would have had the guts to do that anyhow), for it was definitely the best book we read in that particular Russian history class. Recounting the histories of Soviet women both well-known (Kollontai) and not so well-known (Zemliachka), Clements shows, in well-structured arguments, how the women of the Bolshevik movement, feminists as well as socialists, interpreted their feminist mission in the context of what they felt must happen in Russia before women and other oppressed minorities truly gained equal rights. One of the most fascinating themes in the book is how Soviet women viewed their task in contrast to the Western suffragist movement, which was largely led by the well-to-do. This book is an excellent introduction to Soviet history in the early years and offers several directions for study in the history of the Soviet Union and of feminism.

Boris, and his friend Nadia, are living through the WWII German seige of Leningrad,and Boris' father has died in the heroic effort to bring food into the city. Boris, Nadia, and all of Leningrad are starving. Bodies are carried off daily, and the children never know if they, or a family member, will be next. The children make a desperate attempt to find potatoes rumored to be in no man's land near the enemy lines. They colapse in the snow, and a German soldier risks his life to save theirs. Boris learns that even in war, sometimes the enemy can be a friend, and has the courage to show this to the people of Leningrad.

The book is a powerful tale of humanity in a brutal war. Its an easy read for a 9-12 year old, but also enjoyable for adults. The postscript suggests it is a true story told to the author in later years by Boris himself.

I first ran across this book because a few chapters were reprinted in a middle school literature book. They were so moving, I sought out this hard-to-come-by children's novel in the library of each new town I came to, and read it to students in the classroom.

Historical fiction

Boris is a child in Leningrad during the Siege of 1942-43. His fight for survival, not simply in body but also in spirit, is extraordinarily well-written by Dutch historian Jaap ter Haar. The gruesome aspects of the 500 days are softened without losing authenticity or the power to move the reader to a broader view of compassion in war.

My 5th and 6th grade students are astounded by the child's experiences and his eventual view of war and human goodness. When reading Boris we also watch the World At War segment on the Siege of Leningrad. Some of the scenes in the newsreel footage seem to include Boris.

Written in graceful prose, it is a favorite among our readers. Boris is quite a compelling way to look at human rights and how in the midst of war and hatred some people manage to live honorable lives.

Chosen book of the year in Holland. Boris should be reprinted by Dell Yearling.

Of course, I loved the book. It's well paced, entertaining, and insightful to a moment in russian history. Pushkin's charm as an dramatist is as well done as shakespeare. There aren't as many quotable lines, but that only makes it more fluent to read. The poetry is also nothing shy of great and the characters are well written, notably boris and the impostor. It's always tough to find russian literiture that doesn't bore a person, but pushkin's drama has enough romance (i.e. Romantic era), action, jokes, and touching speeches to move the reader to bite their nails, laugh out loud, and cry.

For being Boris V.Savinkov' nephew,I must say that the reading of Mr.R.Spence Book has been more than a surprise to me.For once somebody took the challenge to bring out of the shade the rather stange character of this "lost hero".Through the reading of "Renegade from the left" one can understand the tumultuous life of Boris V.Savinkov and its implications in history.The precision of this monograph shows how seriouly the historical research has been conducted,for there is not a single fact wich is not bound to a file location.Reading this book I had the chance to descover who my uncle was and his "performance" in history did amazed me.As I have recently started a genealogical and historical research about all the members of my family,this book helps me a lot .Thank you to Mr R.Spence and to the East Europeen Monograph edition!!!

Boris Yeltsin had a tough childhood. He was a Civil Engineering
student who graduated and practiced the profession in Russia.
As a student, he liked Volleyball and other sports. His first
position involved construction and cement mixing. Construction
work was popular under Khrushchev because the Soviet Union
aimed to correct housing shortages under Stalin. Boris Yeltsin
had several forays into partisan politics until he managed to
prevail in the Presidency by 7-10-1991. Perestroika lead to
an end to Soviet rule and self-determination of the Russian peoples. Yeltsin had good political instincts, an ability to
understand power and the ability to read the mood of the
Russian people. He once said that " A man must live like a great
bright flame and burn as brightly as he can..."

The book is a fair rendition of events in Russia. It covers a
long period of Soviet history leading to the ultimate dissolution
and the advent of goverance by the Russian Republics. This book
would be perfect for any student of world history/government.
It is well written, generally current and it appeals to a wide
public constituency both here and abroad. The style of writing
is conversational. The presentation makes for easy reading
for the advanced high school level or early college.

This book is one of my favorite on the Napoleonic stuff. This is pleasure to read. And tons of interesting information.

Illustrated by Helen Basilevsky

A peaceful dragon ordered to capture a maiden finds a bored Russian princess and ends up with a job in the palace kitchen.

This book is excellent for someone looking to learn the basics of the Crimean war.It is beautiful in its ability to bring to life the economic, political and military circumstances which lead to this war, its also critical of their failures and successes.


Very good book, I highly recommend it to anyone who is a military history buff but knows little about the Crimean war & wish to find a book to "jump start" their further reading into this unique and fascinating conflict of Victorian Era warfare.