The Uses of History: Understanding the Soviet Union and Russia [Hardcover]

Through his brilliant work on the Soviet Union during the Second World War and his penetrating interpretations of the Soviet system and its place in world politics, Alex Dallin exercised a profound influence on generations of scholars. His research remains important not only for the substance of his analyses but also for the thoughtful and probing intelligence he brought to the issue of how to study the Soviet Union. It is very good to have these examples of his writing available together in this book.These ten essays reflect the remarkable breadth and analytic depth that marked Alex Dallin's preeminence as a teacher and scholar. Their insights continue to inform our understanding of Soviet and post-Soviet history and politics by critiquing, retrospectively, many common and distorting assumptions. As they are brought together in this new volume, Dallin's writings again constitute a refreshing and most welcome contribution to the historical and contemporary literature.Exploring Soviet and Russian history and politics, The Uses of History brings together the classic essays of renowned scholar Alexander Dallin. The author provides insightful analysis and nuanced interpretations of such keyand controversialissues as the domestic sources of Soviet foreign policy, Stalin's leadership in World War II, U.S.-Russian relations in the Reagan era, the causes of USSR's collapse, and the disappointments of Russia's post-Soviet evolution. Dallin rejects single-factor explanations for Soviet and Russian policies, instead examining the complex interplay of internal and external conditions, institutions, and individual leadership. All readers interested in Soviet and post-Soviet history will find this collection a stimulating and deeply knowledgeable resource.Exploring Soviet and Russian history, politics, and foreign policy, The Uses of History brings together the classic essays of renowned scholar Alexander Dallin. The author provides insightful analysis and nuanced interpretatiolÃ)