Today's Russia; also known as the Russian Federation; is often viewed as less powerful than the Soviet Union of the past. When stacked against other major nations in the present; however; the new Russia is a formidable if flawed player. Russia: What Everyone Needs to Know® provides fundamental information about the origins; evolution; and current affairs of the Russian state and society. The story begins with Russia's geographic endowment; proceeds through its experiences as a kingdom and empire; and continues through the USSR's three-quarters of a century; and finally the shocking breakup of that regime a generation ago. Chapters on the failed attempt to reform Communism under Mikhail Gorbachev; the halting steps toward democratization under Boris Yeltsin; and the entrenchment of central controls under Vladimir Putin bring the reader into the contemporary scene and to headline-grabbing events such as Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and its military intervention in Syria. Drawing on trends within Russia and on ratings and rankings compiled by international organizations; Colton discusses the challenges facing the country--ranging from economic recession to demographic stress; political stagnation; and overextension in foreign policy--and to the realistic options for coping with them. The book shows that; although Russia is not imprisoned by its history; it is heavily influenced by it. Colton illustrates Russia's greatest strength and; ironically; its greatest weakness: the ability of its people to adapt themselves to difficult circumstances beyond their immediate control. Russia; as Putin has asserted; will not soon be a second edition of the United States or Britain. But; Colton shows; there are ways in which it could become a better version of itself.
#97574 in Books Preston David L 2015-07-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.60 x 9.30l; .0 #File Name: 0199845328480 pagesBraddock s Defeat The Battle of the Monongahela and the Road to Revolution
Review
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful. A New Definitive Study of an Iconic Battle that Helped to Shape the NationBy richard w.Prof. Preston has written a superb account of this iconic battle that epitomized the tactical differences as between the French Canadian - Indian forces (until Montcalm changed them) and Britain's traditional; Europe-derived massed infantry and volley fire. This is a fine "update" to the work of Kopperman; and may well be the definitive account for our times. Preston has found some important new sources; including a speech by an Iroquois warrior that sheds some light on one of Preston's main points: the Indian allies of New France had their own agenda(s); and allied with the French when that offered material and enduring rewards. This warrior also explained why some traditional Indian allies of the Brits were not so eager to support Braddock's "invasion" of the over-the-mountains territory that the Indians believed (with some obvious reasons) was their homeland: young George Washington; after his contacts with the French at the forks of the Ohio failed to consult with these Indian allies. This played into the widespread suspicion among the Indians that the French and the British had an overarching goal of eliminating them (the Indians) even while fighting each other for primacy.Preston also dispels the old conventional wisdom of Braddock's generalship as being overly strict; hidebound; reflexive and narrowly confined by European traditions. Instead; Preston shows how; at several times; Braddock showed himself to be a "soldier's general;" even holding the American colonial members of his expedition to a little lower standard of military conduct. He did not; however; neglect to institute extensive measures for march security; even with very few Indian scouts available. And Braddock never uttered the derogatory words about and to Indians that others attributed to him after he died in battle. But this isn't mere revisionism for its own sake; Preston's scholarship is highly impressive. His work is extensively noted; and his bibliography is extensive.Preston spends most of this work narrating the history of the march; showing its extreme difficulties; which Preston has personally confirmed on the ground by walking portions of Braddock's Road that still exist; and by paddling down the rivers. This all highlights how radical this attempt was to project military power into the American heartland. Preston also hints at the question whether march fatigue and loss of sleep contributed to the performance of the troops when attacked. However; he astutely points out that the British troops stood and fought for some 3 hours a virtually invisible enemy who had assumed an ambush formation the length of the British line of march. This does not suggest undisciplined; panicked; incompetent soldiery.The real story of the Monongahela; Preston shows; was the victory of the French and Indians due to their superior woodlands tactics. Preston corrects the traditional record that the French commander; Beaujeau; won over the Indian allies only at the last minute with a speech full of bravado and challenge. Instead; the Indians; who came from many tribes and from all over the modern US Midwest to the Atlantic lands; held their own council at least one day before the battle. They agreed to stand with the French; and brought numbers to raise the combined French Indian force to about 950 fighters; over 2/3rds od whom were Indians; and it turned out the battle was mostly an Indian victory.Preston goes on to provide some thought-provoking conclusions; and adds several highly useful appendices; including the two side's respective orders of battle; the casualty lists; the Iroquois' hitherto undiscovered speech; an account from the French side; etc.This book is well-written in clear; concise prose that flows without distractions that limit the conveyance of information. It is the best book I have read on the subject by quite a margin; and is likely to stand as the definitive account of this battle for a long time. I recommend this for anyone interested in the American Frontier; our military and historical heritage; and as a vignette of what war fighting was like in America before there were roads; railroads; etc. This book deserves its 5 stars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Definitive Account - Breaks New GroundBy Darryl R. SmithWhat is now the definitive account of Braddock's campaign and defeat; Mr. Preston weaves a detailed yet flowing account of the trials that both sides dealt with for the campaign. This not yet another retelling of the conventional story. Certainly portions of the story will be familiar for those who have read on the campaign previously; but Mr. Preston dues excellent work in shattering some of the accepted conventions that previous authors failed to diligently investigate. Example - Braddock wasn't so haughty and dismissive with his Indian allies as other accounts would lead you to believe. This is only one "myth" that Preston digs into to provide us a fresh perspective. Recommended!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. English and French and Indians Clash Near the Forks of the OhioBy B. J. HobarRead this book if you are interested in learning the details of the English and French and Indian sides of the campaign; the Battle of the Monongahela; and the aftermath. The book is academic in style; fully documented; but very readible. Maps and illustrations are effective and useful. The author did incredible research and his book includes the origin of Braddock's force in Great Britain; the troops' harrowing voyage across the Atlantic in the winter; the assembly for combat in Alexandria; Va.; the march by OVER the primeordial Appalachians; and the terrible collision with the French and Indians in the forest at present-day Braddock; Pa. The author included a description of the difficult French trek from Quebec though Lake Ontario; Lake Erie; and the St. Lawrence and the dense woods in Pennsylvania to Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio. (As an old person with eye issues; I resorted to an electronic copy on my Kindle and iPad to help in reading; but I have the splendid hardback on my shelf!)
