Details the thirty-four-year reign of Russia's Catherine the Great by looking at the controversies over the interpretation of her policies, and by examining the problems that she faced (view table of contents)

Assesses the reign of Empress Catherine II, her attempts to promote judicial reform, art, and education, and the political corruption and excessive military spending that hindered her efforts (view table of contents)

Product Description: This is a collection of thirteen major essays, four never before published, by one of the most distinguished Western historians of 18th century Russia. These are not just random pieces but a broad and readable study which challenges the conventional view of imperial Russia as a semi-barbaric outsider on the periphery of continental Europe...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)