Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia (Hardcover)

by Walter Laqueur (Author)

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: 288 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: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #260,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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 (http://ku-eichstaett.academia.edu/AndreasUmland) - 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

_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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Defending Mother Russia., October 30, 2003

By	zonaras (Jimbo's House of Pie) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

_Black Hundred: The Rise of the Extreme Right in Russia_ by Walter Laqueur is about the political and ideological scene in Russian nationalism during the aftermath of the Soviet collapse in the early nineties. _Black Hundred_ was published in 1993, making some of its material and assessments rather dated. However, it gives excellent descriptions of the leaders of the Russian right, where they got their theories and ideas from, and what possible impact they have had on the country. The biggest problem with _Black Hundred_ is its liberal, pro-capitalist, pro-western, anti-religious and (needless to state, of course) pro-Jewish bias. Laqueur's tone throughout is thus cynical, disdainful and condescending towards his subject of study, especially regarding the Russian Orthodox Church and nationalism in particular. Also, the presentation is rather disorganized with too much editorializing on Laqueur's part. _Black Hundred_ traces the history of the Russian right to the 19th century religious groups and theorists such as St. John of Kronstadt who defended the authority of the Tsar against the criticisms of Marxists, communists, socialists, anarchists, liberals, Jews, Masons and other subversive groups in Imperial Russia. It was also rooted in the Russian Orthodox revival in the 1800s, centered on famous monasteries such as Optina. Central to the thought of the Russian far-right is that Jews, Freemasons, liberals and Western capitalism and materialism form a cohesive agent of destruction against Holy Mother Russia, her people and her Faith. Formed in the early years of the 1900s and remaining active until 1917, the Black Hundred was a group willing to use violence to defend the Orthodox Church and the throne of the Tsar. Several pogroms and incidents against Jews are attributed to them. The _Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion_ first appeared having questionable origins in Russia. The _Protocols_ describe a Jewish plan for world domination under their "son of David" by using Masonry, media propaganda, liberal social theory, international finance, usury, and promoting an anti-Christian scientific-rationalist world view: the "Jewmasonry" conspiracy. Sergei Nilus published the _Protocols_ supposedly written in Hebrew, in Russian. The Tsar believed there was a conspiracy afoot to remove him from power, but disbelieved in the overall accuracy of the _Protocols_. After the Bolsheviks seized power, the Orthodox Church was turned into a puppet of the Soviet State and the Royal Family murdered. The right maintains the Jewish origins of the Russian Revolution, Jews disproportionately overrepresented in the communist circles. Joseph Stalin, however, has a slightly better reputation among the right as he developed "National Socialism" for the Soviet Union and purged the original Bolshevik revolutionaries in the 30s. Stalin also promoted Russian nationalism to the extreme, at the detriment of non-Russian peoples in the Soviet Union. Cosmopolitanism is a concept dreaded by the nationalists and Stalin scores some points on the right for his anti-cosmopolitan campaign directed at foreigners. Besides these examples, Stalin is not held in high regard by the right, as he was a destroyer of traditional aspects of Russian culture and persecutor of the church. Some members of the Russian émigré community supported Hitler and Nazi Germany during WWII, hopefully for the destruction of the Stalin regime. The Russian Orthodox Church experienced a schism. Since the Moscow patriarchate was suspect, the Russian Church Abroad broke off, considering itself the true inheritor of Orthodoxy from Tsarist Russia uncorrupted by communist dominance and infiltration. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian extreme right at times ironically found itself in the same camp with Communists, opposing Western influence, the free market economy and democratic government. Anti-Jewish sentiment became more open, but officials in the Communist Party previously published attacks on Jewish interests under the "Politically Correct" guise of anti-Zionism. The Russian nationalists and Communists alike favored a strong military position opposing America as well. As one Communist group proposed the installation of Russian Orthodoxy as Russia's state religion, it appears that that anti-globalist, anti-Zionist Communists are jumping in the same boat as religious reactionaries, white racialists and nationalists in Russia. Some of themes for certain Russian nationalists are occult and anti-Christian: the forged "Book of Vlas" describing Russia's "Aryan" origins, the writings of the Italian occult luminary Julius Evola, Theosophy and astrology being prominent examples. Laqueur devotes a considerable amount of space to describing the Slavophiles, authors who glorified Russia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Fydor Dosteivsky is by far the most popular author among right wingers, with his strong emphasis on the teachings of the Orthodox Church and the redeeming role Russia plays in world affairs. Leo Tolstoy is respected but not considered patriotic enough. In recent times, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian conservative, has become a figure for nationalism. His writings critique the West for its decadent materialism and cowardice in confronting Soviet policy, in addition to exposing the communist slave state for what it really was. Laqueur, however, takes a slightly negative attitude towards Solzhenitsyn, almost portraying him as a backward peasant. Needless to say, Dostievskys anti-Semitism is highlighted. Surprisingly, Laqueur praises the Russian peoples connection to the land and nature. Characteristically, Laqueur constantly refers to the dichotomy between patriotism (good) and nationalism (bad) throughout his study. Patriotism is the healthy respect for ones country and improving its material conditions while nationalism is medieval chauvinism directed against imagined (i.e., imagined in Laqueurs view) external and internal enemies. Obviously, any type of nationalist movement based on the authority of the State, the Church and the Race/People would pose significant threat to the liberal academic establishment that published this book. Nationalist groups of different shades in America have been putting out literature for some time that any revitalization of the West is likely to come from Russia. There is also Orthodox literature pointing to a spiritual rebirth in Russia before the End comes. Also recommended: _Behind Communism_ by Frank Britton, _Utlimate Things_ by Engleman and _The Third Rome: Holy Russia, Tsarism and Orthodoxy_ by Matthew Raphael Johnson.