Summary

Harvard Professor of Russian History Richard Pipes traces the evolution of the Russian state from the ninth century to the 1800s.

Harvard Professor of Russian History Richard Pipes traces the evolution of the Russian state from the ninth century to the 1800s. Pipes analyzes the political behavior of the principal social groupingspeasantry, nobility, middle class, and clergyand their failure to stand up to the increasing absolutism of the czar. This is considered by many to be the definitive book about Russian society before the revolution. 3 maps.