The question of national identity is central to the future of
Russia. This extensive analysis, spans three centuries of Russian
cultural history to place post-communist Russia within a broad
historical background. The author focuses on three ways of defining
Russia and Russians: Russia as a counterpart to the West; Russians as
creators of a unique multi-ethnic community; and Russians as members of
the community of Eastern Slavs. She then demonstrates how these three
perspectives have dominated the views of Russia in the modern era and
traces their origins back to writers and historians in the eighteenth
century. Combining a rich historical study with a rigorous analytical
framework, the book is an essential tool for understanding contemporary
Russia.

Vera Tolz is Professor of Russian Studies, University of Manchester.