title: The History of Russia, 2nd Edition (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)
author:  Charles E. Ziegler 
description: "Overall, this is a fascinating book that is well written and informative. The author succeeds in showing the full complexity of Russian history while keeping his narrative concise and crisp. . . . It is recommended as a textbook in Russian history courses or as a leisure reading for any nonspecialist interested in Russia." - <strong>ARBAonline</strong><br /><br />"This short history of Russia covers ancient times through the events of 1998. It discusses political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of each period through the Yeltsin era, and offers a timeline of events, B&amp;W historical and contemporary photos, short biographical notes on key people, a glossary, and a bibliographic essay. This second edition pays special attention to the fall of the Soviet Union and the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. There is a new chapter on the last ten years, plus an expanded chapter on the Yeltsin Era. The book is accessible to students and general readers." - <strong>Reference &amp; Research Book News</strong>
zlib_text: PRAISE FOR _RUSSIA AT WAR 1941–1945_
  
  
  “Magnificent. … It fills a great void. … the best book we probably shall ever
  have in English on Russia at war.”
  
  
  —William Shirer, author of _The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich_
  
  
  “This is not merely a history (although it happens to be an excellent one). It
  is not a collection of personal reminiscences (although it incorporates many).
  It is not a scholarly examination of Russia during the critical years
  1941–1945 (although it puts under close analysis many events during that
  period). … [Werth’s] Russian panorama has the depth and vividness of a
  Vereshchagin warscape. His descriptions of Nazi atrocities … are almost too
  terrible to read. … [ _Russia at War_ ] overflows with the contradictory, the
  half-understood, the mysterious, the impossible to explain. … It bears
  comparison with William L. Shirer’s _The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich_ as
  a work of scope and power. … One of the most important books yet written about
  WWII … superbly dramatic