James R. Harris is a lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom.

Harris makes a powerful case for redefining the sense of center-periphery relationships and for taking Stalinist regional and interregional politics seriously.(Choice) His study sets a high standard for those to follow in the regionalist tendency of current historiography.... The book demonstrates a strength that is not indicated by the title. It is more than a history of the Urals: it explores the mighty and dynamic shape of power among the players in the center-periphery relationship Ukraine-Moscow-Urals-Western Siberia.... Harris's study is a pathbreaking foray into Soviet regional history. It provides us with the new insight that the dynamic policy making of the regional elites like that of the Urals lets us rethink the character of autocratic and centralist Russian history.- Eva Maria Stolbery (H-Net Reviews) This book makes an important contribution to the literature about the interwar development of the Societ political and economic system.... This book has been thoroughly researched and well crafted. The author and publisher should also be commended for including some good photographs of Urals leaders and industrial plants, which helpfully support the text.... In sum, this book will be essential for anyone concerned with the development of the Soviet political and economic system during the interwar period.- Anthony Heywood (American Historical Review) This study of the great Urals region by James Harris is a major contribution to the renaissance of regional studies in Soviet history. The work is based on extensive use of central and regional archives and a careful reinterpretation of long extant sources such as stenograms of party conferences and congresses.- James Hughes (Slavic Review)

James R. Harris is a lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom.

Harris makes a powerful case for redefining the sense of center-periphery relationships and for taking Stalinist regional and interregional politics seriously.(Choice) His study sets a high standard for those to follow in the regionalist tendency of current historiography.... The book demonstrates a strength that is not indicated by the title. It is more than a history of the Urals: it explores the mighty and dynamic shape of power among the players in the center-periphery relationship Ukraine-Moscow-Urals-Western Siberia.... Harris's study is a pathbreaking foray into Soviet regional history. It provides us with the new insight that the dynamic policy making of the regional elites like that of the Urals lets us rethink the character of autocratic and centralist Russian history.- Eva Maria Stolbery (H-Net Reviews) This book makes an important contribution to the literature about the interwar development of the Societ political and economic system.... This book has been thoroughly researched and well crafted. The author and publisher should also be commended for including some good photographs of Urals leaders and industrial plants, which helpfully support the text.... In sum, this book will be essential for anyone concerned with the development of the Soviet political and economic system during the interwar period.- Anthony Heywood (American Historical Review) This study of the great Urals region by James Harris is a major contribution to the renaissance of regional studies in Soviet history. The work is based on extensive use of central and regional archives and a careful reinterpretation of long extant sources such as stenograms of party conferences and congresses.- James Hughes (Slavic Review)

James R. Harris is a lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom.

Harris makes a powerful case for redefining the sense of center-periphery relationships and for taking Stalinist regional and interregional politics seriously.(Choice) His study sets a high standard for those to follow in the regionalist tendency of current historiography.... The book demonstrates a strength that is not indicated by the title. It is more than a history of the Urals: it explores the mighty and dynamic shape of power among the players in the center-periphery relationship Ukraine-Moscow-Urals-Western Siberia.... Harris's study is a pathbreaking foray into Soviet regional history. It provides us with the new insight that the dynamic policy making of the regional elites like that of the Urals lets us rethink the character of autocratic and centralist Russian history.- Eva Maria Stolbery (H-Net Reviews) This book makes an important contribution to the literature about the interwar development of the Societ political and economic system.... This book has been thoroughly researched and well crafted. The author and publisher should also be commended for including some good photographs of Urals leaders and industrial plants, which helpfully support the text.... In sum, this book will be essential for anyone concerned with the development of the Soviet political and economic system during the interwar period.- Anthony Heywood (American Historical Review) This study of the great Urals region by James Harris is a major contribution to the renaissance of regional studies in Soviet history. The work is based on extensive use of central and regional archives and a careful reinterpretation of long extant sources such as stenograms of party conferences and congresses.- James Hughes (Slavic Review)