Lost Kingdom: The Quest for Empire and the Making of the Russian Nation

In his latest work, Plokhy (history, Harvard Univ.; The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union) offers readers a better understanding of modern Russia by reviewing the country from its early years to the present. The author provides an in-depth look at different eras in Soviet history, from Mongolian rule in the 1400s to the pivotal revolution in the 20th century. Along the way, he connects the motives and behaviors of past rulers Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin to those of current president Vladimir Putin. The narrative connects Russia's rich past to today's political and social climate and uses this history to provide context for the nation's relationships with Crimea and Ukraine. Notably, the author offers insight into the motivations of the present administration and shape of the region. Plokhy explains how other countries have moved on from the desire to create and maintain empires while Russia continues to focus on re-creating its romanticized past.