Russia: The Story of War

For a millennium Russia's lands have been one of the world's great battlefields. The scope, savagery and frequency of conflict that have ravaged this area are almost unprecedented. The largest armies, the biggest battles, the worst losses of life--all of these superlatives would rightfully, and tragically, point there. This fate has had a profound impact on how Russia sees itself in the world, producing a myth of exceptionalism anchored in war. No other nation, it holds, has sacrificed like Russia, particularly in defeating titans like Napoleon and Hitler. Russia: The Story of War is the first book to explore how this idea has become a cornerstone of national identity for Russia in the modern age. It showcases how for centuries the nation's political and cultural leaders have used this experience to counter its reputation as an insatiable aggressor and help process the trauma of repeated invasions, civil wars and their often colossal body counts. It also demonstrates how Russia's belief in its own exceptionalism can erase the sting of defeat, turn isolation into a virtuous destiny, and elevate the whole of its bloody history into a source of unbroken pride. This book opens a new door on Russia that is essential in order to understand its self-image and worldview--perhaps more so now than ever before. If Russia and the idea of war seem inseparable to us, the same holds true there as well. It's just different. Quite different.--