Description
By R. Van Bergen. Journey across the vast plains, forests, cities, and battlefields of one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious nations in this sweeping history of Russia.
In The Story of Russia, historian and writer R. Van Bergen presents a vivid and accessible account of the dramatic events, rulers, struggles, and transformations that shaped the Russian nation across the centuries. Written for general readers and younger audiences, this classic work transforms the immense and often turbulent history of Russia into an engaging narrative filled with powerful personalities, military conflict, political upheaval, and national ambition.
Beginning with the early Slavic peoples and the rise of Kievan Rus, the story traces the emergence of the Russian state through periods of invasion, expansion, and dynastic rule. Readers encounter legendary rulers such as Ivan IV of Russia, Peter the Great, and Catherine the Great, alongside dramatic episodes including Mongol domination, imperial expansion, palace intrigue, wars with European powers, and the rise of the Russian Empire.
Van Bergen’s engaging narrative style combines historical detail with lively storytelling, bringing Russia’s vast landscapes and complex history vividly to life. Themes of power, resilience, conquest, reform, and national identity run throughout the book, offering readers insight into the forces that shaped one of the world’s great empires.
Written in a clear and approachable manner, The Story of Russia introduces readers to Russian history through narrative rather than dry chronology, making the subject accessible and compelling. More than a history book, it is a portrait of a civilization that played a central role in European and world affairs.
This carefully restored reprint revives a classic historical introduction for modern audiences. Ideal for students, lovers of European history, and readers fascinated by imperial Russia and its rulers, it remains a timeless gateway into the dramatic story of Russia.
About the author: Robert Van Bergen M.A. was one of the first Americans to enter Japan after that nation ended its centuries of isolation following the famous Admiral Perry incident, and won renown in the Asiatic nation for teaching English to its nobility, becoming Principal of the Nobles’ School in Tokyo. While there, he wrote the first comprehensive histories of Japan to appear in English, and acquired considerable additional fame in the West as a result. Later, his visits to Russia intrigued his curiosity as to the nature of the Tsarist regime, prompting his famous history of that nation.
Contents:
I. The Realm of the Czar
II. Early Records of Russia
III. The Norsemen (or Varingians) in Russia
IV. Saint Vladimir and Iaroslaf the Great
V. A Russian Republic
VI. Troublous Times
VII. The Yellow Peril
VIII. Russia under the Mongol Yoke
IX. Lithuania and Moscow
X. Decline of the Tartar Power
XI. Ivan III, the Great
XII. Russia becomes an Autocracy
XIII. Ivan IV, the Terrible
XIV. Russia under Ivan the Terrible
XV. Feodor, the Last of Rurik’s Descendants
XVI. Michael Feodorovitch (Son of Theodore) the First Romanof
XVII. Early Years of Peter the Great (Peter Alexievitch)
XVIII. Peter the Great and His Reign
XIX. Peter the Great and His Time
XX. The Successors of Peter the Great
XXI. Russia under Catherine II (the Great)
XXII. Russia during the Wars of Napoleon
XXIII. An Eventful Period
XXIV. Alexander II, the Liberator
XXV. Great Events during Alexander’s Reign
XXVI. Alexander III, the Peasants’ Friend
XXVII. Russia Methods: The War with Japan
XXVIII. The Origin and Growth of the Asiatic Empire
XXIX. Russian Methods. The War with Japan
XXX. Russia Loses Her Prestige
