A History of the Urals : Russia’s Crucible from Early Empire to the Post-Soviet Era

The Urals are best known as the boundary between Europe and Asia. A History of the Urals demonstrates the region's importance in its own right, as a crucible of Russia's defence industry in particular. In the first English-language book to explore the subject fully, Paul Dukes examines the region's contribution to the power of the state in tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet times, offering a refreshing antidote to Moscow-centric interpretations of Russian history. The book contextualises more recent periods with chapters on the earlier years of the Urals and covers the key environmental as well as economic, political and cultural themes. The book contains illustrations and maps, plus lists of books and websites, as aids to further research and understanding of the subject. A History of the Urals is an important book that provides new and valuable insights for all students of Russian history. The Urals Are Best Known As The Boundary Between Europe And Asia. A History Of The Urals Demonstrates The Region's Importance In Its Own Right, As A Crucible Of Russia's Defence Industry In Particular. In The First English-language Book To Explore The Subject Fully, Paul Dukes Examines The Region's Contribution To The Power Of The State In Tsarist, Soviet And Post-soviet Times, Offering A Refreshing Antidote To Moscow-centric Interpretations Of Russian History. The Book Contextualizes More Recent Periods With Chapters On The Earlier Years Of The Urals And Covers The Key Environmental As Well As Economic, Political And Cultural Themes. The Book Contains Illustrations And Maps, Plus Lists Of Books And Websites, As Aids To Further Research And Understanding Of The Subject. A History Of The Urals Is An Important Book That Provides New And Valuable Insights For All Students Of Russian History. -- From Back Cover. Introduction: Approaches To The Urals -- The Arrival Of The Russian Empire, 1552-1725 -- Tsarist Modernisation, 1725-1825 -- Reaction And Reform, 1825-1894 -- From Tsarist To Soviet Russia, 1894-1921 -- Soviet Modernisation And The Great Patriotic War, 1921-1945 -- Reconstruction And The Cold War, 1945-1964 -- Stagnation And Collapse, 1964-1991 -- The New Russia, 1991-2012 -- Afterword. Paul Dukes. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover Contents List of Illustrations List of Maps Weights and Measures Preface Maps Introduction: Approaches to the Urals 1 The Making of the Russian Empire, 1552–1725 2 Tsarist Modernization, 1725–1825 3 Reaction and Reform, 1825–1894 4 From Tsarist to Soviet Russia, 1894–1921 5 Soviet Modernization and the Great Patriotic War, 1921–1945 6 Reconstruction and the Cold War, 1945–1964 7 Stagnation and Collapse, 1964–1991 8 The New Russia, 1991–2012: Conclusion Afterword Notes Further Study Index