In this comprehensive history of Russia, Rappoport provides a detailed account of the nation's origins, development, and place in the world. With a wealth of primary sources at his disposal, he traces the rise of the early Slavic states, the influence of the Mongol empire, the emergence of the czars, and the eventual ascent of the Soviet Union. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in Russian history, politics, and culture. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.