Medieval Russia, 980-1584

by Janet Martin
Medieval Russia, 980-1584 cover
Good Books rating 3.23
History
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  • ID: 11420
  • Added: 2026-03-09
  • Updated: 2026-03-11
  • ISBN: 9780521368322
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Published: 1995-12-07
  • Reviews: 3

Medieval Russia, 980-1584 offers a concise yet comprehensive narrative history of Russia during the Riurikid dynasty, from Vladimir I to Ivan the Terrible. This book breaks away from the conventional static view of Old Russia, emphasizing the dynamic and changing nature of Russian society. It explores developments in social, economic, political, foreign relations, religion, and culture, providing a well-rounded analysis of the period. Janet Martin presents clear arguments and conclusions about how and why the states and society of the Rus' lands took on their unique forms and characteristics. The book is broadly accessible and offers informative and provocative interpretations, making it an up-to-date and engaging analysis of medieval Russia.

Reviews
Snippet of Histories · 2025-02-17
challenging 2.00

The book is quite dry and academic, making it a challenging read. There's no narrative, as it is sourced directly from historical documents.

This book is quite dry and academic, which can make it a challenging read. It lacks a narrative structure since it is sourced directly from historical documents. This might not be the best choice for casual readers, but it's a valuable resource for those interested in deep historical analysis.

Quick quotes

    Quite a dry academic book and rather a difficult read.

    There's no narrative at all since this book is essentially sourced directly from the primary sources.

    It's a valuable resource for those interested in deep historical analysis.

BoardGameGeek · 2012-02-22
comprehensive 4.00

The book is recommended for its comprehensive coverage of medieval Russia. It is a valuable resource for those interested in the period.

This book is highly recommended for its comprehensive coverage of medieval Russia. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in the period, providing detailed insights and analysis. The book is well-regarded among historians and enthusiasts alike.

Quick quotes

    For the period in general: Medieval Russia, 980-1584 by Janet Martin.

    I will look into those books.

    Thanks for the reply.

Goodreads · 2008-01-10
informative 3.70

The book is informative and accessible, with clear arguments and provocative conclusions. It provides an up-to-date account of medieval Russia.

This book is a great resource for anyone interested in medieval Russia. The arguments are well-structured and the conclusions are thought-provoking. It's an up-to-date account that makes complex topics accessible. However, some readers might find it a bit dry due to its academic nature.

Quick quotes

    Her lines of argument are clear and coherent; her conclusions and interpretations are provocative.

    The result is an informative, accessible, up-to-date account of medieval Russia.

    This book is a valuable addition to the Cambridge Medieval Textbooks series.

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