Peter the Great - Dr William Marshall

SEMINAR STUDIES IN HISTORYEdited by Roger Lockyer(Emeritus Reader in History, in the University of London)This famous series examines key themes in British, European and World history in short, succinct volumes. The text is supported by primary material in a Documents section, a full bibliography and an index; where appropriate there are maps, chronologies and glossaries. All the books in the series are written by experts in the field who are not only familiar with the latest research but have often contributed to it. Works of scholarship in their own right, the books also provide a survey of current historical interpretations. Longman has now inaugurated a major programme of renewal and expansion for Seminar Studies, with many new titles and new editions in the pipeline. Existing books are being re-presented in a larger, more reader-friendly format as they reprint; and new books and new editions are being reset into an entirely new page design. Peter the Great was an unusual man and a most unusual tsar.;His reign (1682-1725) had a momentous impact on the development of modern Russia and a study of it is crucial for an understanding of Russia's development from backwater to twentieth-century world power status. This brand new Seminar Study looks at all aspects of Peter's reign and considers the complex personality of the man himself, a man who was 'constantly at boiling point, possibly on the verge of breakdown and madness'. Peter's reign saw major changes in every possible sphere of Russian life as he sought to remodel Russian institutions on Western lines. The author takes the reader through Peter's administrative reforms; his efforts to revitalise the economy - in particular the development of the iron industry; his attitude to the Church; his educational reforms; his modernisation of the army; and the creation of a navy. An entire chapter is devoted to St Petersburg, the city built to order by Peter and which epitomises Peter's policy of westernisation and his phenomenal energy and enthusiasm. As one would expect space is also devoted to Peter's foreign policy, most notably his important wars against Sweden and Turkey which resulted in the expansion of the Russian Empire.;The text is supported by primary source material, maps, glossaries and a comprehensive bibliography. Readers are sure to welcome this accessible account of one history's most colourful personalities.William Marshall was formerly Head of History at Millfield.Cover:LongmanLogo