Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia [Hardcover]

Walter Laqueur (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1993

Tracing the rise of the extreme right in Russia, the author explores the roots of growing fascist power in Russia, focusing on anti-Semitic Pamyat party. By the author of The Age of Terrorism. National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With the collapse of communism, Russia's rightwing extremists have made a comeback. Political analyst Laqueur ( The Age of Terrorism ) combed Russian journals, manifestos, booklets, leaflets and other sources to produce the first in-depth, comprehensive look at an alarming phenomenon. An essential source for Russia-watchers, his meticulous study profiles anti-Western ultra-nationalists, the openly fascistic and anti-Semitic Pamyat movement, fanatical sects within the Orthodox church, various monarchist factions and the reemerging Cossacks. These groups espouse militarism and a belief that Russia can function only if led by an authoritarian government. Laqueur documents the close collaboration of the Russian Orthodox church with the Communist Party leadership and the KGB. He traces the far right's origins to 19th-century Slavophiles and to the Black Hundred, a xenophobic movement which flourished between 1904 and 1917. His chilling report sounds a warning to the West. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Laqueur is among the most prolific historians of modern Europe, and his book chronicles one of its most important movements: Russian nationalism. The author demonstrates a prodigious command of individuals and organizations in 20th - century Russia. This array ranges from conservative monarchists through rabid antiSemites; typically, Laqueur reveals the well-known group Pamyat (memory) as a ramshackle group of factious personalities. Yet too often throughout the book, Laqueur gives equal weight to the viewpoints supported by a few individuals as opposed to those shared by millions of Russians. However penetrating, Laqueur's concluding reflections do not help us understand the right within a broader political spectrum nor the durable popularity of Boris Yeltsin. Nevertheless, as accessible history, Laqueur's book can be confidently recommended to public and academic libraries.
- Zachary T. Irwin, Pennsylvania State Univ.-Erie
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 317 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060183365
• ISBN-13: 978-0060183363
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,217,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering study of 1993, December 28, 2006

By 

Andreas Umland "SPPS" (ZIMOS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia (Paperback)

Walter Laqueur's seminal study "Black Hundred" has already been widely reviewed, discussed and quoted (e.g. Rowley 1994, Vujacic 1994). Notably, it has been translated into, among others, Russian language. The book is important for Russian right-wing extremism studies in that it, for the first time, combines a sharp focus on the subject with a firm historical grounding and consideration of an admirably wide range of disparate ideological phenomena ranging from mainstream Soviet patriotism to some of the most obscure post-Soviet fringe-groups. Laqueur's treatment of ultra-nationalistic tendencies in Russian emigre circles, the Orthodox Church and the Cossack movement are especially valuable. In addition, the author who is also a leading authority on generic fascism introduces some pertinent comparative observations on the Russian Right; he contrasts it to, among others, the Action Français and the early Nazis. In addition, the book is innovative in setting the rise of the Russian extreme Right from the late 19th century until today in the context of an increasing (if somewhat paradox) international diffusion of ultra-nationalist, vitalistic and elitist theories. Actually, an even more extensive treatment of the comparative and international aspects would have been welcome.

As others have noted before, Laqueur's account of the late and post-Soviet groupings and personalities contains a number of wrong labels, names and dates. The section on Zhirinovskii confuses some of the personage around him (p. 255). In view of the freshness of the information at the time of the book's publishing, mistakes such as these are understandable. A serious imbalance, however, is that the author touches only upon in passing the rapidly growing ultra-nationalist tendencies in the Communist Party as exemplified by the rise of Gennadii Ziuganov. He also only insufficiently deals with the ancien regime's often crucial (if sometimes disguised) role in the appearance, promotion and protection of the explicitly ultra-nationalist politicians such as Zhirinovskii.

Notwithstanding, what Laqueur has done with this book is to synthesize finally the broad variety of aspects and subtopics of, and thus to conceptualize, Russian right-wing extremism studies. His conclusion ``Russian Nationalism Today and Tomorrow'' (pp. 272-296) is one of the most thoughtful essays on post-Soviet Russian politics I have read so far.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Black Hundreds and Russian Restorationist Nationalism., March 31, 2003

By 

New Age of Barbarism "zosimos" (EVROPA.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia (Hardcover)

_The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia_ gives an accounting of some of the far right wing and semi-fascist movements in modern Russia and traces their development from their historical origins before the advent of communism. Russia as a nation has been besieged by totalitarian governments, revolution, and communist tyranny for the last hundred years. However, with the breakup of the old Soviet Union, a void has been created, and this void may be filled by certain political movements of the extreme right. Tracing their origins back to the Russian Whites, the Black Hundreds, and the tsarist loyalists, modern day Russian right wing nationalists have sought to restore Russia as a nation by returning it to its historical (or mythical) past and tradition. Many of these groups hold to certain conspiratorial beliefs involving the Antichrist and the infamous _Protocols of the Elders of Zion_ as well as certain conspiracies involving Freemasonry and the Jews (referred to as "Zhidomasonstvo", i.e. "Jewmasonry"). In addition, many on the Russian right and far right consider the Orthodox Church to be a saving force for Russia adhering to a fundamentalism which rejects other Christian beliefs especially Catholicism. Authors such as Dostoevsky (who expressed nationalist beliefs at one time in his career) and Solzhenitsyn (who expressed nationalist beliefs and anti-communism but with more of a liberal bent) have played an important role in the development of the Russian right. Many on the Russian right embrace pastoralism and the peasantry as opposed to industrialization, the free market, and liberalism. Some on the far right fringe have in fact returned to paganism and rejected even Orthodox Christianity as being too tinged with Semitism. In fact, a certain famous text (believed to be a forgery) referred to as the _Book of Vlas_ which relates tales of Russia's mythical (Aryan) past plays an important part among some on the right wing fringe. Communism occupies a precarious position among those on the right and far right in Russia. Some have embraced a form of nationalist Bolshevism, adhering to standards imposed by Joseph Stalin. Others have argued for a return to monarchism or for a Cossack revival. Among certain members of the far right in Russia, a certain hatred of all outside and alien influences (particularly but not exclusively Judaic ones) is very prevalent. In addition, many on the right in Russia have an innate distrust of America and Americanism (some even going as far as supporting Iraq in the Gulf War). Some on the right have attempted to incorporate ideas from certain thinkers of the "New Right" in France, such as Alain de Benoist, or even the Italian intellectual Julius Evola (who wrote the famous text _Revolt Against the Modern World_). While Nazism is generally considered to be yet another conspiracy against the Russian people, some on the far right have embraced certain ideas of the Nazi intellectuals and have published the writings of Hitler, Goebbels, and Rosenberg in their journals. Two of the more famous political movements among the far right in Russia include the right wing group Pamyat (meaning "memory") led by Dmitri Vasiliev, and that of the liberal-democrat party of nationalists led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Many of these groups accuse Gorbachev and Yelstin of capitulating to alien forces (especially the Jews) and to Americanism and argue for an "iron hand" in politics, centralizing government, and the maintaining of the military and the KGB. Some have turned towards the Orient as a promised land (hoping to incorporate features of Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Chinese thought), while others have sought their restoration in the ideologies of fascism or the "New Right" or even hope for a Cossack revival. This book gives an excellent introduction to the right wing forces in Russia and their growth and development. Although marred by a somewhat overly liberal bias, the author gives an excellent and thorough history and explanation of these movements which have attempted to find a satisfiable solution for the Russian people in a post-communist age.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering study of 1993, January 30, 2007

By 

Andreas Umland "SPPS" (ZIMOS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia (Hardcover)

Walter Laqueur's seminal study "Black Hundred" has already been widely reviewed, discussed and quoted (e.g. Rowley 1994, Vujacic 1994). Notably, it has been translated into, among others, Russian language. The book is important for Russian right-wing extremism studies in that it, for the first time, combines a sharp focus on the subject with a firm historical grounding and consideration of an admirably wide range of disparate ideological phenomena ranging from mainstream Soviet patriotism to some of the most obscure post-Soviet fringe-groups. Laqueur's treatment of ultra-nationalistic tendencies in Russian emigre circles, the Orthodox Church and the Cossack movement are especially valuable. In addition, the author who is also a leading authority on generic fascism introduces some pertinent comparative observations on the Russian Right; he contrasts it to, among others, the Action Français and the early Nazis. In addition, the book is innovative in setting the rise of the Russian extreme Right from the late 19th century until today in the context of an increasing (if somewhat paradox) international diffusion of ultra-nationalist, vitalistic and elitist theories. Actually, an even more extensive treatment of the comparative and international aspects would have been welcome.

As others have noted before, Laqueur's account of the late and post-Soviet groupings and personalities contains a number of wrong labels, names and dates. The section on Zhirinovskii confuses some of the personage around him (p. 255). In view of the freshness of the information at the time of the book's publishing, mistakes such as these are understandable. A serious imbalance, however, is that the author touches only upon in passing the rapidly growing ultra-nationalist tendencies in the Communist Party as exemplified by the rise of Gennadii Ziuganov. He also only insufficiently deals with the ancien regime's often crucial (if sometimes disguised) role in the appearance, promotion and protection of the explicitly ultra-nationalist politicians such as Zhirinovskii.

Notwithstanding, what Laqueur has done with this book is to synthesize finally the broad variety of aspects and subtopics of, and thus to conceptualize, Russian right-wing extremism studies. His conclusion ``Russian Nationalism Today and Tomorrow'' (pp. 272-296) is one of the most thoughtful essays on post-Soviet Russian politics I have read so far.