Mark GaleottiA Short History of Russia: How to Understand the World's Most Complex Nation

Sparkling and stimulating, crisp and compelling: not perhaps words that one would expect to describe a book on Russia's turgid and sombre history. The text is filled with illuminating insights that enable us to understand not only how Russia came to be as it is but also how Russians understand themselves; this is not so much about the past as how the past is part of the present. For example, reading of the brutal era of psychotic czar Ivan 'the Terrible' illuminates our understanding of the reign of contemporary Vlad the Vicious (Putin) that reads almost like a reincarnation. Other works may have more ponderous scholarship - one thinks of Isaiah Berlin's monumental tomes on the Russian philosophers - but this work has the virtue of brevity and lightness of touch that engages us on a journey of enlightenment. History may not repeat itself but certainly casts long shadows that this book helps to penetrate. It deserves a place on the library shelf of any self-respecting slavophile.

The book is ok. While the author disclaims that the length it is too short to accurately depict history, the book feels like a brain dump from an expert, rather than a carefully constructed story. I do miss footnotes or actual quotes from other books embedded in. At the end of each chapter he suggests complementary reads, which is welcomed, but it still feels more of a glossed over interpretation rather than a depiction.I've bought after this book, Serhii Plokhy's "The Gates of Europe" -on Ukrainian history I must point-, which has a far more elaborated style, is carefully constructed and well documented. Makes it more grounded, trusted and enjoyable.Serhii is a Harvard professor on the topic.On the upside, Mark's book is an easy and quick read.

Puts the current situation into perspective and gives context - but doesn't excuse the Russian twisted world view

The author does a great job distilling a thousand years of history into a short book that gives a real insight into Russia’s turbulent story.

A bit dry but Galleotti’s history is hard to fault

I really enjoyed the accessibility, brevity and clarity.It is flawed by a repeated desire to paint Russian anxieties about hostile neighbours as unreasonable. This is, ironically, a very western centric perspective with a strong anti Putin core.. This peaks with an added chapter to cover war in Ukraine that has already aged very badly

I have started reading geopolitical books to get a better understanding of macro politics. This book puts missing pieces into the jigsaw. It was recommended by someone os Swiss nationality who lives in France. I studied history at A level and knew nothing about early Russian history and its roots. Good value for some education.

This is an easy read for such a huge topic, but what is described is no less striking. So much blood, so many despots, and it seems like the same things happening over and over again. But as the author points out, the problems are long-lasting, so none of the solutions can really take hold. There is a surprisingly optimistic ending, considering the current war in Ukraine, so it is possible to come away from this book with sympathy for the Russian people and with a hope that what the writer wants can prevail.Some of the writing is a little sloppy, I read this book immediately after reading Butler to the World and that is brilliantly written so this suffers from comparison.