“For anyone who wants an insight into the nature of Russian society before the revolution; there is no doubt that Professor Pipes has written the book.â€â€”Lionel Kochan; Jewish Chronicle This highly acclaimed study from Richard Pipes analyzes the evolution of the Russian state from the ninth century to the 1880s and its unique role in managing Russian society. The harsh geographical conditions and sheer size of the country prevented the creation of participatory government; and a “patrimonial†state emerged in which Russia was transformed into a gigantic royal domain. Richard Pipes traces these developments and goes on to analyze the political behavior of the principal social groupings—peasantry; nobility; middle-class; and clergy—and their failure to stand up to the increasing absolutism of the tsar. In order to strengthen his powers; legal and institutional bases were set up that led to the creation of a bureaucratic police state under the Communists. “A brilliant and provocative analysis . . . learned; judicious; witty and full of common sense.â€â€”John Keep; The Times Literary Supplement “A lively; profound; often extremely subtle account of the making of the Russian state . . . For the serious student it is required reading which is also a delight. For the general reader with a minimal knowledge of Russian history and puzzled as to what makes the Russians tick; it lights up the whole field.â€â€”Edward Crankshaw; The Observer “An excellent introduction; painstaking and enjoyable.â€â€”The New York Review of Books “Pipes has produced a masterly interpretative history of tsarist Russa.â€â€”Choice
#285237 in Books Edward W Said 1997-03-11 1997-03-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x .60 x 5.18l; .48 #File Name: 0679758909272 pagesCovering Islam How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy tobias mostelCan't go anywhere in the Middle East without it.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Important points; but...By Libby IngrassiaIn Covering Islam; Edward W. Said makes some vitally important points that remind us that our relationship with many countries (and not just in the countries/cultures/peoples who are Arabic or Islamic or in the Middle East) is informed by a media that does not always do justice to the people they cover -- in many cases; the media generalizes and demonizes. Making one of the most important points in the book; Said reminds us that Islam (like "Christendom" or "the West" or any broad cultural category) is not a monolithic homogeneous structure; but that many journalists; pundits; spokespeople; and citizens see and portray it as such.Said cites many examples of journalists (and academics) who fall into lazy habits when looking at and writing these cultures. Unfortunately; it seemed to me that Said makes many generalizations himself; about American media and journalists (although; to be fair; he does give some examples in the last chapter of academics and writers who he believes have a more broad and insightful and accurate viewpoint) which made it harder for me to stay engaged with the book.Finally; I wanted to know his solutions and suggestions; not just the problem. If everything an American journalist or adademic touches in a country such as Iran or Iraq or Afghanistan is tainted by post-colonialism and oil and government; how can the average person learn about that part of the world in a genuine manner? What information is trustworthy? Said has told us the problem; or part of it; but did not seem; in this book anyway; to offer solutions.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. As valuable for its insights today as when it was ...By J. C. ChenAs valuable for its insights today as when it was published. Now; it also reads as a history of the heavily biased ideas about Islam and Islamism that have been churning through our imaginations.
