Robert Service - Böcker

A masterful and forensic study of the last year of Nicholas II’s reign, from a world-leading scholar of Russian history.‘Outstanding . . . essential reading’ – Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Mail on SundayIn March 1917, Nicholas II, the last Tsar of All the Russias, abdicated and the dynasty that had ruled an empire for three hundred years was forced from power by revolution. Robert Service examines the last year of Nicholas's reign and the months between that momentous abdication and his death, with his family, in Ekaterinburg in July 1918.Drawing on the Tsar's own diaries and other hitherto unexamined contemporary records, Service reveals a man who was almost entirely out of his depth, perhaps even willfully so. A vivid portrait, The Last of the Tsars is simultaneously a compelling account of the social, economic and political foment in Russia in the aftermath of Alexander Kerensky's February Revolution, the Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917 and the beginnings of Lenin's Soviet republic.Authoritative, engaging and meticulously researched, this is a superb work of historical biography.‘A timely and important book . . . he brings to it rare clarity and common sense. His book is a fast-paced account of the last sixteen months of the tsar’s life; brief, sharp, but laced with well-judged feeling for the dramas of the time’ – Catherine Merridale, The ObserverDiscover more fascinating Russian Revolution titles from Robert Service: Spies and Commissars and Blood on the Snow.

In July 1917, when the Provisional Government issued a warrant for his arrest, Lenin fled from Petrograd; later that year, the October Revolution swept him to supreme power. In the short intervening period he spent in Finland, he wrote his impassioned, never-completed masterwork The State and Revolution. This powerfully argued book offers both the rationale for the new regime and a wealth of insights into Leninist politics. It was here that Lenin justified his personal interpretation of Marxism, savaged his opponents and set out his trenchant views on class conflict, the lessons of earlier revolutions, the dismantling of the bourgeois state and the replacement of capitalism by the dictatorship of the proletariat. As both historical document and political statement, its importance can hardly be exaggerated.Translated and edited with an introduction by Robert Service

Robert Service's The Penguin History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-first Century provides a superb panorama of Russia in the modern age.Russia's recent past has encompassed revolution, civil war, mass terror and two world wars, and the country is still undergoing huge change.In his acclaimed history, now revised and updated with a new introduction and final chapter, Robert Service explores the complex, changing interaction between rulers and ruled from Tsar Nicholas II, through the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917; from Lenin and Stalin through to Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin and beyond.This new edition also discusses Russia's unresolved economic and social difficulties and its determination to regain its leading role on the world stage and explains how, despite the recent years of de-communization, the seven decades of communist rule which penetrated every aspect of life still continue to influence Russia today.'Always well-informed and balanced in his judgements, clear and concise in his analysis ... Service is extremely good on Soviet politics' Orlando Figes, Sunday Telegraph'A fine book ... it is a dizzying tale and Service tells it well; he has none of the ideological baggage that has so often bedevilled Western histories of Russia' Brian Moynahan, Sunday TimesRobert Service is a Fellow of the British Academy and of St Antony's College, Oxford. He has written several books, including the highly acclaimed Lenin: A Biography, Russia: Experiment with a People, Stalin: A Biography and Comrades: A History of World Communism, as well as many other books on Russia's past and present. His most recent book, Trotsky, has been shortlisted for the Duff Cooper Prize.

This popular, concise and highly readable study discusses the key themes and debates about the Russian Revolution. Robert Service's lively analysis examines:- state and society under the Romanovs from 1900- The February and October Revolutions of 1917- The final years of the Romanov dynasty and the start of the Soviet order- Comparisons with political, social and economic trends elsewhere in the world- The extent to which the later development of the USSR was conditioned by the October RevolutionClear and incisive, the fourth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated in the light of the latest research and features a new scene-setting Introduction and maps. Service's text remains the essential starting point for anyone studying this tumultuous period in the history of Russia and the world in the twentieth century.

An acclaimed examination of the global history of communism, from one of the finest historians of modern Russia.‘One of the best-ever studies of the subject . . . a remarkable accomplishment.’ – The EconomistDecades after the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR, Robert Service sets out to trace its origins, tracking its spread across the globe throughout the twentieth century. From the USSR to Yugoslavia, Cuba to Western Europe, he chronicles the history of communist theory, spotlighting major events and individuals, and discussing the ideas right at its very heart.From pre-Marxist thought to modern China, Service paints an authoritative portrait of communism and examines its place in the world in the twenty-first century. Unsettling, engaging and brilliantly argued, Comrades is a superb work of history and one that demands to be read.‘An outstanding book, written with grace and style.’ – Victor Sebestyen, The Daily Telegraph‘Bears all the hallmarks of a classic work of historical literature . . . the true international legacy of communism [is] analysed to magisterial effect in this exhilarating work.’ – Hwyel Williams, The New Statesman

Winner of the Duff Cooper Prize, an acclaimed portrait of Leon Trotsky from one of the finest scholars of modern and Soviet era Russia.‘An outstanding, fascinating biography of this dazzling titan’ – Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Daily TelegraphTrotsky lived a brilliant life in extraordinary times. A pioneering radical politician, theorist, and icon of the Russian Revolution, he is commonly portrayed by his followers as a pure revolutionary soul and powerful intellect unjustly hounded into exile by Stalin and his henchmen.Robert Service draws upon a wealth of material from previously unexamined archives to craft a vivid biography of this colossal figure, challenging traditionally held views and assumptions. Spanning from Trotsky’s childhood as part of a Jewish farming family to the years of his banishment, Trotsky: A Biography simultaneously chronicles his role in some of the biggest moments in Russian history: the October Revolution, the establishment of the Red Army, the Civil War.A thoroughly engaging and balanced account, it moves beyond Trotsky’s public persona, painting a rich picture of a sparkling writer, ‘ladies’ man’, philosopher of everyday life and grand seigneur of his household. Robert Service’s research and profound understanding of Russian history combine in this masterful and compelling biography of the man and his legacy.‘Exemplary’ – Robert Harris, The Sunday TimesDiscover more acclaimed biographies from Robert Service: Stalin and Lenin.

Robert Service, world-leading expert in Russian history, presents a fresh portrait of the early years of the Revolution.‘Fascinating . . . Service has a wonderful eye for the telling detail’ – Independent1917. The world is locked in an ideological battle.The Western powers are anxious to prevent Bolshevism spreading across Europe. Lenin and Trotsky are equally anxious that their Communist vision should do just that. But in the wake of the Revolution and Russia’s withdrawal from the First World War, there is a distinct lack of reliable information available to either side.Into this intelligence void step an extraordinary collection of journalists, spies – sometimes not mutually exclusive categorisations – and opportunists. In Moscow Britain’s Arthur Ransome, the American John Reed and Sidney Reilly –the ‘Ace of Spies’ – trade information and broker deals between Russia and the West; in Berlin, Paris and London, the likes of Maxim Litvinov, Adolf Ioffe and Kamenev try to infiltrate the political elite and influence foreign policy to the Bolshevik advantage.Spies and Commissars is a riveting account of the political wrangling in the immediate aftermath of the Revolution, brought to life through the stories of this ragtag group of individuals. With trademark narrative flair and impeccable research, Robert Service reveals one of the great untold tales of the twentieth century.‘The twenty-first century needs this kind of unflinchingly honest history’ – Simon Sebag Montefiore, Wall Street JournalDiscover more fascinating Russian Revolution titles from Robert Service: The Last of the Tsars and Blood on the Snow.

An acclaimed examination of the latter years of the Cold War, from one of the finest historians of modern Russia.‘Absorbingly written . . . this book is destined to become a classic of Cold War historical literature’ – International AffairsAfter decades of struggles between the USSR and the US over every aspect of security, economics and ideas, the Cold War had seemed like a permanent fixture in global politics. No Western or Soviet politician foresaw that the stand-off would end in their lifetimes, and even the 1985 election of Mikhail Gorbachëv did little to quell the fear of global nuclear Armageddon.But just four years later, the Berlin Wall was dismantled and perestroika spread throughout the former Soviet bloc. It was a sea change in world history, which resulted in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.Drawing on a wealth of pioneering archival research, The End of the Cold War is a gripping investigation into these final years. A story of American pressure and Soviet long-term decline and over-stretch, it pinpoints the astonishing relationships between President Ronald Reagan and Gorbachëv, Secretary of State George Shultz and the USSR's last Foreign Affairs Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, who found a way to cooperate during times of extraordinary change around the world. A small, skillful group of statesmen, they were determined to end the Cold War on their watch, irreversibly transforming the global geopolitical landscape.In true Robert Service style – authoritative, compelling and meticulously researched – this is political history at its best.‘Our leading historian of the Soviet Union . . . magisterial’ – The Observer

The acclaimed biography of Joseph Stalin from Robert Service, world-leading expert in modern and Soviet era Russia.'Outstanding . . . will be read for decades' – Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red TsarSpanning from childhood to death, Service chronicles every element of Stalin’s life: his formative interactions in Georgia, his youthful revolutionary activism, his relationship with Lenin, with his family, and with his party members. Seen through Stalin’s career, Service recounts some of the greatest events in modern history: the Russian Revolution, World War Two and the early years of the Cold War.Thoroughly researched and balanced, this vivid biography moves beyond the often simplistic portrayals of Stalin as a dedicated bureaucrat or serial political killer, encompassing the multitude of political and personal factors that formed his character.Drawing on a wealth of unexplored material from previously unopened archives, Stalin: A Biography is a masterful, authoritative portrait of the Soviet Union’s longest serving leader.Discover more acclaimed biographies from Robert Service: Lenin and Trotsky.

A critically acclaimed portrait of Vladimir Lenin, from one of the finest scholars of modern and Soviet era Russia.'This book deserves a place among the best studies of one of the most fascinating figures in modern history' – Harold Shukman, The TimesA colossal figure whose influence on twentieth-century history cannot be underestimated, Lenin’s full story remains somewhat unknown. Drawing on previously unopened archives, Robert Service pieces together public and private lives, painting an authoritative portrait of this revolutionary leader.Seen through Lenin's career, Service chronicles major events in the history of the Soviet Union. From the October Revolution to the politics of inter-war Europe, Lenin: A Biography traverses the ideas of Marxism-Leninism, the one-party state, economic modernisation and dictatorship. Balanced and thoroughly researched, it is simultaneously a portrait of some of the greatest turning points in modern history.In discovering the origins of the USSR, Service casts light on the nature of the state and society which Lenin left behind and which have not entirely disappeared from the Russia of today.'Immensely scholarly but also vivid and readable. This is a splendid book, much the best that I have ever read about Lenin' – Dominic Lieven, Sunday Telegraph'He has managed skilfully to depict the surreal life of an obsessive, brilliant and stubborn individual' – The GuardianDiscover more acclaimed biographies from Robert Service: Stalin and Trotsky.

Lenin's politics still reverberate around the world even after the death of the USSR. His name elicits revulsion and reverence. Yet Lenin the man remains largely a mystery. This biography reveals Lenin in his full complexity as a revolutionary, political leader, thinker, and private person. 50 halftones. 3 maps.

In this second volume of his Lenin trilogy, Robert Service builds on the approach established in the first. He emphasises the extraordinary circumstances in Russia and the world enabling Lenin to come to power in 1917. He also details ways whereby Lenin led a turbulent Bolshevik party and adjusted its policies so as to gain authority in the soviets. Lenin the crafty and pragmatic politican as well as the utopian and merciless class warrior are portrayed. 'Dr Service has made excellent use of freshly available original documents but even without them this book would have been outstanding' - Susan Walker, International Affairs '...immensely detailed, scholarly biography...' - Richard Pendry, New Statesman and Society 'Robert Service takes such a most welcome broad view in the second volume of his projected trilogy...For this eagerly awaited end to his labours, all power to the Service elbow' - Paul Dukes, Times Higher Education Supplement

This is undoubtedly the best study of Lenin the political leader written to date, and it is likely to remain so for some time.' - John Barber, London Review of Books; ...Robert Service...has provided a rich, balanced portrait of the Bolshevik leader that presents the case for the defence as well as the prosecution.' - John Keep, Times Literary Supplement;The final volume of Robert Service's major trilogy on Lenin's political life takes the account from the Brest-Litovsk Treaty of 1918 to the Bolshevik leader's death in 1924. Attention is paid to the military, political and economic conditions as they changed; to the internal pressures of the party's politics; to ideological imperatives; and to one man's reaction to events and situations he had only imperfectly anticipated. The volume incorporates not only the post-1985 documentary revelations but also the results of the author's searches in the Moscow archives since 1991.

In this second volume of his Lenin trilogy, Robert Service builds on the approach established in the first. He emphasises the extraordinary circumstances in Russia and the world enabling Lenin to come to power in 1917. He also details ways whereby Lenin led a turbulent Bolshevik party and adjusted its policies so as to gain authority in the soviets. Lenin the crafty and pragmatic politican as well as the utopian and merciless class warrior are portrayed. 'Dr Service has made excellent use of freshly available original documents but even without them this book would have been outstanding' - Susan Walker, International Affairs '...immensely detailed, scholarly biography...' - Richard Pendry, New Statesman and Society 'Robert Service takes such a most welcome broad view in the second volume of his projected trilogy...For this eagerly awaited end to his labours, all power to the Service elbow' - Paul Dukes, Times Higher Education Supplement

Russia has undergone immense changes in the 20th century. From tsarism to communism, from communism to the market economy. But to what extent does this market economy reproduce the capitalism that characterised Russia in the centuries before 1917? What are the prospects for a democratic, prosperous Russia? This volume examines the large problems of Russia's past. The linking theme is the balance of continuity and discontinuity in the history of the country across several centuries. The chapters cover a wide range of topics: politics, administration, economy, sociology and culture. They also consider the latest historical discussions in Russia and abroad. The work aims to put Russia into a fresh historical perspective and enable the reader to consider the weight of the past lying on attempts to fashion a different Russian future.

The first book of its kind to appear since the end of the Cold War, this indispensable reference provides encyclopedic coverage of communism and its impact throughout the world in the 20th century. With the opening of archives in former communist states, scholars have found new material that has expanded and sometimes altered the understanding of communism as an ideological and political force. A Dictionary of 20th-Century Communism brings this scholarship to students, teachers, and scholars in related fields. In more than 400 concise entries, the book explains what communism was, the forms it took, and the enormous role it played in world history from the Russian Revolution through the collapse of the Soviet Union and beyond.* Examines the political, intellectual, and social influences of communism around the globe * Features contributions from an international team of 160 scholars * Includes more than 400 entries on major topics, such as: * Figures: Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Ho Chi Minh, Pol Pot, Castro, Gorbachev * Events: Cold War, Prague Spring, Cultural Revolution, Sandinista Revolution * Ideas and concepts: Marxism-Leninism, cult of personality, labor * Organizations and movements: KGB, Comintern, Gulag, Khmer Rouge * Related topics: totalitarianism, nationalism, antifascism, anticommunism, McCarthyism * Guides readers to further research through bibliographies, cross-references, and an index

Songs Of A Sourdough" is Robert Service at his best!. This is nature poetry at its finest. Here the Bard Of The Yukon use picture words that place the reader right in the Yukon of old. As you read you can see the stranger stagger in to the Malamute saloon and feel the fifty below gush of air until he closes the door behind him. You will hear him play the piano and see the ghastly look of the Lady that's known as Lou. You too will jump for the floor when the shooting of Dangerous Dan McGrew starts. You too will hear the Call of The Yukon and understand its Law while you come to appreciate The Younger Son.

Robert Service, famous for his ballads of life in the Gold Rush years of the Yukon, among them The Shooting of Dangerous Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee", painted pictures of artists, grisettes and models from the merry, tragic life of bohemian Paris of the early 1900s, inspired by the shadows of World War I as it fell across the city. Throughout these poems are expressions of the poet's own homespun philosophy. His verses offered gaiety, humour, mostalgia and pathos while his comments on women, life and death, ambition, success and failure, were all aimed to evoke quick response in the readers heart."

Drawing on previously unpublished archive material, this acclaimed biography of Stalin describes his formative years – emphasizing the importance of his parents, Georgian origins, religious training and his embrace of Marxism, as well as his poetry and voracious reading – to show that the notorious tyrant was ‘a more dynamic and diverse figure†than is generally supposed.

Lenin remains to this day a colossal figure: the founder of the Bolshevik faction and one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. In this critically acclaimed biography, Robert Service – the first historian to have access to Communist Party archives after they were ‘unsealed†– provides a complete portrait of Lenin, set in historical context.