This work presents the whole span of Russia's history, from the origins of the Kievan state and the building of an empire, to Soviet Russia, the successor states, and beyond. Drawing on both primary sources and major interpretive works, this edition updates its extensive coverage of the social, economic, cultural, political and military events of Russia's past and includes a new chapter on the post-Gorbachev era as well as helpful updated bibliographies and reading source lists. This sixth edition examinines the rise of Yeltsin, the nationalities question, and Russia's attempts to adapt to market capitalism.