Anglo-American Evaluations of Recent Russian Historiography

Abstract

Irina Viktorovna Potkina’s new book “In anticipation of a disaster. State and Economy of Russia in 1914–1917” reflects her significant contribution to the Russian history. The purpose of the article is to present a brief survey of the Anglo-American appraisal of recent Russian historiography based on a sample of thematic issues of the journal of translations, “Russian Studies in History”. This journal sheds light on current questions, new topics, methods and sources in Russian historiography to the benefit of Anglo-American readers. A sample of topics of the journal will present the evaluation of Anglo-American historians of the work of their Russian colleagues. Among the topics of post-Soviet historiography are: liberal and conservative ideologies at the turn of the 20th century; pre-revolutionary politics and parties; World War I, the February Revolution; administration of the Russian empire; religion in Imperial and Soviet Russia; and local history. The work of recent Russian historians has been aided by new sources and methods. The purpose of this work has been to achieve a better understanding of daily life, the formation of identities, and the agency of Russians of all social groups, not just of the political elite. In the opinion of various American and British historians, the goal of these histories is very promising.