Valerie Kivelson

Valerie Kivelson is a Professor of History at the University of Michigan and a prominent scholar of early modern Russia, with particular expertise in witchcraft, cartography, and Russian Orthodox religious culture. Her influential work includes studies of how magic and witchcraft were understood and prosecuted in 17th-century Russia, notably in her book "Desperate Magic: The Moral Economy of Witchcraft in Seventeenth-Century Russia." She has also made significant contributions to understanding how Russians conceptualized and mapped their expanding empire through her research on historical cartography. Kivelson's scholarship has helped reshape understanding of gender roles and social hierarchies in Muscovite Russia. Her research challenges previous assumptions about Russian exceptionalism by placing Russian practices regarding witchcraft and cartography in broader European and global contexts. Her academic recognition includes multiple book prizes and fellowships from institutions including the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She serves on editorial boards of major journals in Russian studies and continues to produce work examining the intersection of politics, religion, and daily life in early modern Russia.

Readers praise Kivelson's ability to present complex historical research in an accessible way. On Goodreads, academic readers highlight her thorough archival work and clear analysis, particularly in "Desperate Magic," which examines witchcraft trials in early modern Russia. Readers appreciated: - Detailed use of primary sources and court records - Clear connections between witchcraft accusations and social/economic conditions - Well-organized presentation of evidence - Accessible writing style for academic material Common criticisms: - Dense academic prose can be challenging for general readers - Some sections repeat key points - Limited broader context about Russian society of the period Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) One academic reviewer noted: "Kivelson effectively demonstrates how witchcraft accusations reflected deeper social tensions." A graduate student reviewer mentioned the book was "invaluable for understanding gender dynamics in Muscovite Russia."

Autocratic Politics and the History of the Russian Empire (2023) Examines how autocracy functioned in practice across the Russian Empire from the 16th through early 20th centuries through studies of key political practices and relationships.

Desperate Magic: The Moral Economy of Witchcraft in Seventeenth-Century Russia (2013) Analyzes witch trials in 17th century Russia, exploring how witchcraft accusations reflected social tensions and power dynamics in Russian society.

Cartographies of Tsardom: The Land and Its Meanings in Seventeenth-Century Russia (2006) Studies how maps and spatial thinking shaped Russian understanding of territory and sovereignty in the 17th century.

Russia's Empire: A Multi-Ethnic History (2017) Traces the development of Russia as a multi-ethnic empire from the 16th through 20th centuries, examining interactions between different ethnic and religious groups.

Picturing Russia: Explorations in Visual Culture (2008) Collection of essays analyzing Russian visual culture from medieval times through the post-Soviet period.

The Third Rome, 1500-1800: Moscow as Holy City (2021) Explores how Moscow developed its identity as a sacred capital and heir to Rome and Constantinople between 1500 and 1800.

Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000–1900 (2020) Compilation of sources and scholarly analysis examining the history of witchcraft beliefs and prosecutions in Russia and Ukraine over nine centuries.

Nancy Shields Kollmann focuses on early modern Russian law, social structures, and political culture. She examines how power operated in Muscovite Russia through legal systems and social hierarchies.

Christoph Witzenrath researches slavery and captivity in early modern Russia and Central Asia. His work analyzes cross-cultural interactions and power dynamics in the Russian-Ottoman borderlands.

Michael Khodarkovsky studies Russia's imperial expansion and its relationships with non-Russian peoples. He examines cultural encounters between Russians and steppe peoples in the early modern period.

Daniel H. Kaiser specializes in Russian social history and law codes from medieval through early modern periods. His research covers family structures and gender roles in pre-modern Russia.

Eve Levin writes about religion, medicine, and sexuality in medieval and early modern Russia. She examines how religious beliefs shaped social practices and everyday life in Russian communities.