Karamzin's Memoir on Ancient and Modern Russia: A Translation and Analysis

Nikolaĭ Mikhaĭlovich Karamzin, Richard Pipes

University of Michigan Press, 2005 - History - 266 pages

Russian history was typically studied through liberal or socialist lenses until Richard Pipes first published his translation of Karamzin's Memoir. Almost fifty years later, it is still the only English-language edition of this classic work. Still fresh and readable today, the Memoir-in which Alexander I's state historian elaborates his arguments for a strong Russian state-remains the most accessible introduction to the conservatism of Russia's ancien regime. This annotated translation is a "faithful rendition of the letter and spirit of the original," which not only introduces readers to the sweep of Karamzin's ideas, but also weaves together a fascinating version of Russia's rich history. With a new foreword by Richard Pipes, Karamzin's Memoir on Ancient and Modern Russia is a touchstone for anyone interested in Russia's fascinating and turbulent past.

Richard Pipes is Baird Professor of History at Harvard University.

Nikolai M. Karamzin (1766-1826) was a Russian historian, poet, and journalist. He was appointed court historian by Tsar Alexander I.

Contents

• THE BACKGROUND AND GROWTH OF KARAMZINS POLIT: 3
• THE HISTORY OF THE TEXT: 93
• A MEMOIR ON ANCIENT AND MODERN: 101
• The Emergence of Moscow: 107
• The Time of Troubles: 113
• Peter I: 120
• Anne: 127
• Paul I: 135
• Foreign Policy: 141
• Political Institutions: 147
• Serfdom and the Problem of Emancipation: 162
• Codification of Russian Law: 182
• RECOMMENDATIONS: 190
• j The Role of the Gentry in the Russian System: 200
• NOTES AND COMMENTS: 209
• SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: 255
• Index: 261

About the author

Richard Pipes, Baird Research Professor of History at Harvard University, is the author of numerous books and essays. In 1981-82 he served as President Reagan's National Security Council adviser on Soviet and East European affairs. He has twice received a Guggenheim Fellowship. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Chesham, New Hampshire.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Karamzin's Memoir on Ancient and Modern Russia: A Translation and Analysis; Ann Arbor Paperbacks for the S; Ann Arbor paperbacks for the study of Russian and Soviet history and politics
• Authors: Nikolaĭ Mikhaĭlovich Karamzin, Richard Pipes
• Editor: Richard Pipes
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, annotated
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0472030507, 9780472030507
• Length: 266 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union; History / Russia & the Former Soviet Union