Russia is an endlessly captivating country. Founded by a band of Vikings bound for the riches of the east, in time it was beaten and bargained into a mighty state, one shaped by a series of ambitious rulers. Throughout its history it has faced countless calamities, achieved remarkable feats in literature, music, technology and so much more and played a key role in world affairs. Yet so much of its fascinating past is a mystery to those who dwell outside of its borders. In the latest title from the team behind All About History magazine you'll meet leaders who clawed their way to absolute power, plunge into the wars that threatened Russia's very survival, and explore the legacies of some of its finest sons and daughters. Welcome to the Motherland.
Welcome
Kievan Rus’ Making the Motherland • IN A TALE WORTHY OF ONE OF THE GREAT SAGAS, A BAND OF ELITE NORTHERN WARRIORS ON THEIR WAY TO THE CITY OF DREAMS FOUND THEMSELVES IN A GOLDEN LAND OF PLENTY…
The anti-Normanist view
Battle on the Ice • LAKE PEIPUS, RUSSIA, 5 APRIL 1242
Ivan the Great • BORN AMID THE CHAOS OF CIVIL WAR, IVAN III WOULD RISE TO UNIFY THE RUSSIAN LANDS AND THROW OFF THE YOKE OF THE MONGOLS FOREVER
Holy Russia • NO CHURCH IS MORE MARKED BY ITS MARTYRS, NOR MORE COMPROMISED BY ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH EARTHLY POWER
The Battle of Orsha
The terrible first tsar Ivan • WAS HIS MURDEROUS REIGN THE INSPIRATION FOR RUSSIAN DICTATORS WHO FOLLOWED?
Ivan and Elizabeth • THE ODD CONNECTION BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN TSAR AND THE VIRGIN QUEEN
How terrible was ‘the Terrible’? • THERE’S A PLETHORA OF GRUESOME HORROR STORIES SURROUNDING IVAN, BUT JUST HOW CRUEL WAS HE IN REALITY?
Who were the boyars? • THE TARGET OF IVAN’S IRE, WHAT ROLE DID THESE ARISTOCRATS PLAY IN SOCIETY?
What’s in a name? • EXPLORING THE POPULARITY OF THE TITLE ‘CAESAR’
The conquest of Siberia • DRIVEN BY THE HUNGER FOR NEW TERRITORY, IN THE 16TH CENTURY RUSSIA EMBARKED ON THE RUTHLESS SUBJUGATION OF A VAST AND HOSTILE LAND IN THE FROZEN EAST
The Khanate of Sibir
Rule of the Romanovs 1613-1917 • CHARACTERISED BY INTRIGUE, AMBITION, TREACHERY, AND REVOLUTION, THE ROMANOV DYNASTY REIGNED FOR OVER 300 YEARS – WITH VERY MIXED RESULTS. PREPARE TO MEET SOME OF ITS MOST FASCINATING FIGURES…
The Pedigree • DISCOVER THE LINEAGE OF THE TSARS AND TSARINAS THAT TOOK RUSSIA FROM IMPERIAL AUTOCRACY TO RUIN AND REVOLUTION
The Winter Palace
Peter I The great transformer • THE RESTLESS TSAR WHO DRAGGED RUSSIA INTO THE FUTURE
The tragedy of Alexis • PETER COLDLY IGNORED HIS SON – WITH APPALLING CONSEQUENCES
Poltava 1709 • THIS BATTLE WAS DESCRIBED BY DANIEL DEFOE AS “AN ARMY OF VETERANS BEATEN BY A MOB”
Peter’s trusted advisers • THE TSAR CHOSE THE MEN TO PLACE IN HIGH OFFICE, THOUGH NOT ALWAYS WISELY
Catherine II Sex, lies and military might • HOW THE UNSTOPPABLE RUSSIAN RULER ENTHRALLED AN EMPIRE
Date for an empress • WHO IS THE PERFECT LOVER FOR CATHERINE THE GREAT?
Expansion of an empire • HOW CATHERINE EXTENDED RUSSIAN TERRITORY
Enlightenment pen pals • CATHERINE CORRESPONDED WITH MANY OF THE GREAT MINDS OF HER DAY
A cold December morning St. Petersburg • THE DECEMBRIST CONSPIRATORS SOUGHT REFORM THROUGH REBELLION, BUT THEIR DREAMS WERE BRUTALLY SUPPRESSED
Partitioning Persia
Alexander II Liberating Russia • ALEXANDER II WAS A MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS. SWINGING WILDLY BETWEEN LIBERAL AND REACTIONARY POLICIES, HE LEFT A LEGACY OF IMPORTANT REFORMS AND PERSONAL FAILURES
A scandalous liaison • ALEXANDER II’S AUDACIOUS AFFAIR WITH A TEENAGE PRINCESS DEVASTATED HIS FAMILY AND LEFT THE COUNTRY STUNNED
Notes from the underground • THE REIGN...