Title: Interesting
Review: Ostrowski, following Halperin, has some interesting theories on the formation of the Russian state. The title is misleading, though--Muscovy, according to Ostrowski, doesn't seem to have influence anyone so it is hardly "cross cultural." He should have come up with a different title or found more cases of Russian influence.Many of his ideas should be debated and I plan on doing further research. The only thing I find fault with is that he could have included comparative studies on Mongol influence elsewhere, but perhaps he is saving that for the next volume.He also doesn't discuss in details the many other nomadic peoples of the steppe who influence, and were influenced by, the Russians and the Mongols. One final thing he could have included is more discussion of the early Russian state and political institutions. It was more complex than he allows for and this neglect of his makes the state building of the Mongols seem slightly greater than it was.
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