This book presents a brief, lucid account of Russian and Soviet history from ancient Kievan Rus' to Borris Yeltsin's dispersal of the anti-reform parliament. Thompson's balanced treatment pays equal attention to the early and modern periods of Russian history. This new, thoroughly revised edition reassesses the legacy of the Brezhnev period, looks at the crucial transitional role of Mikhail Gorbachev, analyzes the dramatic breakup of the Soviet Union, and provides an overview of the emergence of noncommunist Russia. An all new chapter focuses on events since 1991, including the war in Chechenya and Russia's relations with the other post-Soviet successor states.The text is supplemented with maps and illustrations and includes bibliographies and suggested readings at the end of each chapter. Designed for use by students in either a one- or two-semester introductory course in Russian history; Russia and the Soviet Union will also be valuable to any reader seeking to become aquatinted with the story of the Russian people—their traditions and courage, their tragedies and triumphs, and their remarkable contribution to European and world culture.