Medieval Russia, 980-1584 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) [Hardcover]

Janet L. B. Martin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521362768 | ISBN-13: 978-0521362764 | Publication Date: January 26, 1996

This book is a concise and comprehensive narrative history of Russia from 980 to 1584. Presenting developments in social and economic areas, as well as in political history, foreign relations, religion and culture, Janet Martin breaks away from the traditional view of Old Russia as a static, immutable culture, and emphasizes the "dynamic" and changing qualities of Russian society. She develops lines of argument that lead to clear conclusions concerning how and why the states and society of the lands of the Rus' assumed the forms and characteristics that they did.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Janet Martin cuts through the complexities of identity continuity, and discontinuity suggested by the preceding sentence. She presents the history of a single society in which many states evolved over time....Martin's effort to pull it all together has the virtue of engaging and challenging the reader....Most noteworthy is her integration of recent revisionist work that reframes issues such as Kiev's demise, the Mongol's role in Mosow's rise....Historians will appreciate the degree to which the argument is supported by important excurses into society and economy, administrative structures, and ideology and symbolism, and students should enjoy grappling with Martin's argument and with the counterargument that she so fairly and lucidly presents. Martin is to be commended for prodigious work and thoughful synthesis; this book will set the terms of debate for years to come." Nancy Shields Kollmann, American Historical Review

"Janet Martin's textbook reflects the results of the best recent scholarship in an accessible form. It ought to be in the library of every serious student of Russian history." Eve Levin, The Historian

"Martin presents her analysis in a clear and well-organized style that leaves no doubt as to her conclusions. Her arguments are, in the main, convincing and reflect the author's considerable erudition and wide reading." Thomas S. Noonan, JEMH

"Martin sets out her central themes with admirable clarity and balance. She judiciously unravels the debates of the specialists and incorporates the most valuable insights of recent scholarly literature..." Robert O. Crummey, Speculum

Book Description

Breaking away from the traditional static view of Old Russia, this concise but comprehensive narrative history emphasizes the changing qualities of Russian society. It presents developments in social and economic areas, as well as in political history, foreign relations, religion and culture.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 477 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521362768
• ISBN-13: 978-0521362764
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,094,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful introduction, May 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Medieval Russia, 980-1584 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

This is a useful introduction to a subject which is poorly catered for in English, particularly the Kievan period. However, it starts abruptly (rather strangely) in 980, making no attempt whatever to explain the origins of Rus. Although it guides the reader well through the confusing conflicts between the Riurikid princes before the Mongol invasions, its 'traditional' view of a dynastic succession system has since been questioned (by Franklin and Shepard). The coverage of the Golden Horde and Muscovite periods presents less problems. Worth reading, especially for those who know little about the subject.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice introduction to Medieval Russia, February 13, 2010

By 

Spartak Ter-Martirosyan (Fresno, CA, United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Medieval Russia, 980-1584 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

I actually have delayed writing a review for this book for about a year now. This book (2nd ed., 2008) was assigned for a Russian history class I was taking and, as a political, social, and economic textbook, it provided a nice narrative of Russian history dating from the adoption of Christianity (988) until the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

Martin's book, as one reviewer has correctly noted, does start off from an odd year: ca. 980 AD. This was around the time that a Russian prince named Vladimir had secured his position on the Russian throne following a succession crisis. To most readers who are unfamiliar with the topic, this event comes off rather abruptly, and considering that the first historical figures that we can identify in Russian history date to the early ninth century, it certainly would have been better for Martin to have started her narrative from there (or at least presented a prologue on what was taking place in Russia up until that time). Nevertheless, the book is highly informative and erudite from this point forward, as we learn about Vladimir's successors, the princely succession system, cultural and social life in Kievan Rus, the Mongol invasions and its collapse, and the consolidation of the Russian states and subsequent rise of Muscovy.

Certain reviewers have complained that the book is not written well, although I would like to add some caveats of my own. While the book may not be a page-turner for everyone, Martin's writing style and prose is not as drab and bland as they make it out to be. The reader will indeed encounter many names and places and this may overwhelm one; however, there are some useful maps and several family-tree diagrams of the reigning princes and monarchs. The text is accompanied by numerous footnotes and the book includes an extensive bibliography. While it may not be perfect for some, readers who are interested in learning more about medieval Russian history will definitely profit from Martin's work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for., July 30, 2011

By 

Sviatoslav - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Medieval Russia, 980-1584 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

I have read numerous books on Russian history but have always been interested in the medieval era. However, most histories of Russia I have read would either gloss over the entire 500 years plus or begin with Ivan I and the Tatar Yoke. Martin, albeit starting at the odd year of 980 AD, dives right in and gives you exactly what you wanted! Family trees and beautiful maps and a precise timeline help you right along at a speedy pace as you gorge yourself on Medieval Russian history. If you are curious about the 500 years of Russian history prior to the "Time of Troubles" and have read a book or two of introductory Russian history, then you must read this book now!