FORGED IN WAR: A Military History of Russia From Its Beginnings to Today

1-246630

Analyzes how war and insecurity drove Russia's destiny for centuries. Looks at how the national identity has been forged in the furnace of war -- from the medieval kingdom of Rus battling against Scandinavian princes and Mongol emperors to its own empire-building conflicts in 19th-century Asia, to the formative wars of the 20th century which saw Russia change from a Tsarist empire to a communist state. Also covers how Putin created a new mood for martial triumphalism that led directly to the disastrous Ukrainian war. Contains contemporary accounts and a 16-page section of color images.