The Icon and the Axe: An Interpretative History of Russian Culture (Vintage)

"A rich and readable introduction to the whole sweep of Russian cultural and intellectual history from Kievan times to the post-Khruschev era." --Library Journal. Complete with Illustrations, references and 32 pages of index, this is an exhaustive history of Russia and its peoples. Preface Acknowledgments Contents Illustrations I. Background 1. Kiev 2. The Forest Axe and Icon Bell and Cannon II. The Confrontation 1. The Muscovite Ideology 2. The Coming of the West Novgorod “The Latins“ “The Germans” The Religious Wars III. The Century of Schism 1. The Split Within The Theocratic Answer The Fundamentalist Answer The Great Change 2. The Westward Turn New Religious Answers The Sectarian Tradition The New World of St. Petersburg The Defense of Muscovy IV. The Century of Aristocratic Culture 1. The Troubled Enlightenment The Dilemma of the Reforming Despot The Fruits of the Enlightenment The Alienation of the Intellectuals Novikov and Masonry The Frustration of Political Reform 2. The Anti-Enlightenment Catholics Pietists Orthodox 3. The “Cursed Questions” The Flight to Philosophy The Meaning of History The Prophetic Role of Art The Missing Madonna The “Hamlet Question" V. On to New Shores 1. The Turn to Social Thought 2. The Agony of Populist Art 3- New Perspectives of the Waning Century Constitutional Liberalism Dialectical Materialism Mystical Idealism VI. The Uncertain Colossus 1. Crescendo Prometheanism Sensualism Apo calypticism 2. The Soviet Era The Leninist Legacy The Revenge of Muscovy 3. Fresh Ferment The Reprise of Pasternak New Voices 4. The Irony of Russian History Bibliography References Index 'A sweeping, intricate description of Russian cultural history, spanning the pre-Romanov era through six centuries to the reign of Joseph Stalin. Flowing with ease through time and topic — from art to music, literature, philosophy, mythology and more — the book provides readers with an alluring portrayal of Russia's proud heritage. Its impressive scope and lasting insights have made it a foundational text in Russian studies. In fact, it was this book, more than any other, that captured my imagination and propelled me toward the study of Russia and the Soviet Union.'--Condoleezza Rice, The New York Times'A rich and readable introduction to the whole sweep of Russian cultural and intellectual history from Kievan times to the post-Khruschev era.'- Library JournalIncludes Illustrations, references, index. A Rich And Readable Introduction To The Whole Sweep Of Russian Cultural And Intellectual History From Kievan Times To The Post-khruschev Era. Background: Kiev ; The Forest -- The Confrontation: The Muscovite Ideology ; The Coming Of The West -- The Century Of Schism: The Split Within ; The Westward Turn -- The Century Of Aristocratic Culture: The Troubled Enlightenment ; The Anti-enlightenment ; The Cursed Questions -- On To New Shores: The Turn To Social Thought ; The Agony Of Populist Art ; New Perspectives Of The Waning Century -- Uncertain Colossus: Crescendo ; The Soviet Era ; Fresh Ferment ; The Irony Of Russian History. By James H. Billington. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 605-625) And Index. Interpretive history of Russian thought and culture designed to provide new information and interpretation and not merely to codify an already established consesus. The period under discussion is the last six hundred years, during which time Russia has emerged as a distinctive civilization