The Story of Russia by Orlando Figes is a compelling narrative of Russia’s history, expertly weaving together the stories of the complicated figures that define it in an easy-to-understand manner. Figes manages to create a book that is open and accessible for even those who know nothing about Russian history, while at the same time creating an engaging and informative read for those who’ve extensively studied it.
As someone who’s always held an interest in history and the way it reflects itself in the present, this book was extremely insightful and is absolutely necessary for anyone seeking to understand how the current regime in Russia came to be, or how the Russian perspective has developed. The Story of Russia begins in the present, introducing the concept of Russian myths and the cults of personality throughout its history and their influence in the modern day. From there, Figes proceeds chronologically from before the founding of what is now known as Russia to the present day, covering all historical figures and important events. He discusses the motivations behind the various revolutions throughout Russian history, Russia’s involvement in both World Wars, the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the communist regime. The beliefs that remain central to the concept of being Russian and the way that history is often rewritten to reflect a specific perspective.
Published in 2022, the book is a more recent compilation of a variety of different sources, relevant to contemporary conflicts including the war between Russia and Ukraine. Figes pulls from hundreds of primary and secondary sources to form a complex narrative, with all sources cited at the back of the book in accordance to their order of appearance. Additionally, to facilitate navigation of the book, an index is provided with key terms and the location in which they occur. The thorough research and care taken to present a balanced perspective of Russia can be seen in every page, managing to create nuance and reflect the complexity of the Russian people.
Rather then simply covering the events of history, Figes delves into the why, explaining the complex influences of both the East and the West on Russia, the pervasive myths that drive the cultural perspective, and the belief in the Tsar, be it the Romanovs of old or the communist dictators such as Lenin and Stalin. Functioning as both an engaging read and an informative source, The History of Russia is a must-read for both aspiring historians and curious newcomers, and I strongly recommend it.