A fascinating, lively, and wide-ranging history of Russia, from the Mongol invasions to the present day. From monarchy to the world's first socialist state, from communism to capitalism, from mass poverty to Europe's new super rich, Russia has seen immense revolutions in just the past century. In that time, it has also endured civil war, world war, and the Cold War. Russia's history is also spiked with mystery. Did Stalin shoot his wife? Who ordered the killing of Rasputin? Or the shooting of Anna Politkovskaya? What involvement and influence did Russian intelligence have on the 2016 U.S. Election? Why did Putin invade Ukraine in 2022? In addition, Russia has a history of appalling disasters, such as the sinking of the Kursk submarine. Ranging from medieval Kievan Rus' to Vladimir Putin, The History of Russia explores the murder, brutality, genocide, insanity, and skullduggery of the efforts to seize, and then maintain, power in the Slav heartland.