Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890-1928

Russia in Revolution examines the collapse of the Russian Empire and birth of the Soviet state across a pivotal 38-year period. The narrative traces the mounting pressures on the tsarist regime from 1890 through the revolutionary events of 1917 and into the first decade of Bolshevik rule. S.A. Smith analyzes the social, economic and political forces that drove both gradual change and sudden upheaval during this era. The text incorporates perspectives from workers, peasants, soldiers, and various revolutionary movements alongside those of elites and state officials. Key focal points include industrialization, World War I's impact, the February and October revolutions, and the civil war period. The coverage extends through the New Economic Policy of the 1920s to provide context for understanding how the revolutionary state evolved. This work offers insights into how societal transformation occurs and what happens when traditional structures of power and order break down. The author's approach highlights the complex interplay between top-down political decisions and bottom-up social movements in driving historical change.

Readers note this is a balanced and detailed academic analysis of the Russian Revolution period. Many appreciate Smith's focus on social and economic factors beyond just political events, and his examination of non-Bolshevik perspectives. Likes: - Clear organization and accessible writing style for an academic text - Integration of recent archival research and scholarship - Coverage of both urban and rural experiences - Strong analysis of the revolution's cultural impact Dislikes: - Some find the level of detail overwhelming for newcomers - A few readers wanted more narrative storytelling - Limited coverage of military aspects - Some sections on economic policy are dense Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (32 ratings) "Comprehensive but requires concentration to get through" - Goodreads reviewer "Excellent synthesis of current scholarship but assumes some background knowledge" - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 During the period covered in the book (1890-1928), Russia's population was approximately 125 million people, with about 80% living as peasant farmers - making it one of the most rural major powers of the time. 🔹 Author S.A. Smith is an emeritus professor at Oxford University and has dedicated over 40 years to studying Russian and Chinese history, bringing unique comparative insights to his analysis of the Russian Revolution. 🔹 The book explores how the average life expectancy in pre-revolutionary Russia was just 32 years - lower than in British India at the same time - highlighting the severe social conditions that contributed to unrest. 🔹 The revolution period saw the first large-scale implementation of a planned economy, with the Soviet state attempting to control all aspects of production and distribution - an experiment that would influence economic thinking worldwide. 🔹 By examining personal diaries and letters alongside official documents, Smith reveals how ordinary Russians experienced seismic changes in daily life, from the introduction of new calendars to the abolition of traditional marriage ceremonies.