Russia under Western Eyes: From the Bronze Horseman to the Lenin Mausoleum

Name: Russia under Western Eyes: From the Bronze Horseman to the Lenin Mausoleum
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4.1 of 5 Stars: Russia - Russia under Western Eyes: From the Bronze Horseman to the Lenin Mausoleum

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Book Synopsis: As the dust clears from the fall of Communism, will Western eyes see Russia, the unclaimed orphan of Western history or Russia as she truly is, a perplexing but undeniable member of the European family? A dazzling work of intellectual history by a world-renowned scholar, spanning the years from Peter the Great to the fall of the Soviet Union, this book gives us a clear and sweeping view of Russia not as an eternal barbarian menace but as an outermost, if laggard, member in the continuum of European nations. The Russian troika hurtles through these pages. The Spectre, modernity's belief in salvation by revolutionary ideology, haunts them. Alice's looking glass greets us at this turn and that. Throughout, Martin Malia's inspired use of these devices aptly conveys the surreality of the whole Soviet Russian phenomenon and the West's unbalanced perception of it. He shows us the usually distorted images and stereotypes that have dominated Western ideas about Russia since the eighteenth century. And once these emerge as projections of the West's own internal anxieties, he shifts his focus to the institutional structures and cultural forms Russia shares with her neighbors. Here modern Europe is depicted as an East-West cultural gradient in which the central and eastern portions respond to the Atlantic West's challenge in delayed and generally skewed fashion. Thus Russia, after two centuries of building then painfully liberalizing its Old Regime, in 1917 tried to leap to a socialism that would be more advanced and democratic than European capitalism. The result was a cruel caricature of European civilization, which mesmerized and polarized the West for most of this century. As the old East-West gradient reappears in genuinely modern guise, this brilliantly imaginative work shows us the reality that has for so long tantalized--and eluded--Western eyes.

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If you've ever been intrigued by the enigmatic history of Russia, then "Russia under Western Eyes: From the Bronze Horseman to the Lenin Mausoleum" is the book for you. Written by a renowned scholar, this intellectual masterpiece takes you on a journey through centuries, from the reign of Peter the Great to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Unlike the typical depictions of Russia as a barbaric threat to Western civilization, this book presents a refreshing perspective. It portrays Russia as an integral part of the European family, even if it has lagged behind in some aspects. The author skillfully employs literary devices like the Russian troika and the symbolism of Alice's looking glass to convey the surreal nature of Soviet Russia and the West's distorted perception of it.

For centuries, Western ideas about Russia have been clouded by distorted images and stereotypes. "Russia under Western Eyes" uncovers the truth behind these projections, revealing that they are often fueled by the West's own internal anxieties. The book then shifts its focus to the institutional structures and cultural forms that Russia shares with its neighboring European countries, painting a vivid picture of a modern Europe that responds to the Atlantic West's influence in its own unique and delayed way.

In 1917, Russia attempted to leap from its Old Regime to a more advanced and democratic form of socialism than European capitalism. The result was a cruel caricature of European civilization that captivated and polarized the West for most of the 20th century. This extraordinary work helps us understand why the West has been tantalized and eluded by the reality of Russia.

If you're ready to delve into the complex tapestry of Russian history and challenge your preconceptions, "Russia under Western Eyes" is a must-read. Don't miss out on this captivating journey.

Get your copy of "Russia under Western Eyes: From the Bronze Horseman to the Lenin Mausoleum" today and discover the true Russia that has been hidden from Western eyes for far too long.

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