Notes to the "History of the Russian State"
39.99 €
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Notes to the "History of the Russian State"
39.99 €
The first eight volumes of Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin's (1766–1826) unique "History" were published in 1818 in a limited edition of three thousand copies. At the time, this was a risky print run. The price of all the books in the series was also enormous: fifty rubles—twice a clerk's monthly salary. However, in less than a month, all the books were sold out! Karamzin's "History" was devoured by the entire enlightened public of the 19th century, for no one had previously written about Russian history in such a way. This was not only due to his superb knowledge of ancient manuscripts, which Karamzin studied for many years in the archives of the Synod, the Hermitage, the Academy of Sciences, the Public Library, Moscow University, and within the walls of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, nor was it only due to his impartial presentation of events, which led conservatives to consider it a dangerous work and liberals to consider it a preaching of monarchism. Karamzin's writing style itself was the most impressive. After all, before sitting down to write this monumental work, the author had accomplished a remarkable feat of refining the literary language of his time. It's no coincidence that his "Letters of a Russian Traveler," written at the end of the 18th century, immediately brought him fame as a talented writer. However, Karamzin later abandoned fiction and, in his own words, "took the veil of history." He believed that a systematic and complete account of Russian history, with all its bright and dark pages, was immeasurably more important for shaping civic consciousness than any literary concoction. Karamzin's monumental work continues to this day to form the solid foundation upon which all modern works recounting the history of our country rest. During his lifetime, Karamzin managed to describe events up to the end of the Time of Troubles. All twelve volumes of his "History" have subsequently been reprinted numerous times.
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author
- All books in the series Library of World Literature