This is a collection of selected works by a leading specialist in the history and philosophy of Ismailism – one of the most secretive branches of Shia Islam.

The author, a historian, examines the roles of the 'informal' organizations that arose during perestroika and glasnost. These proto-democratic movements were active during the stormy years of political reform under Gorbachev and mobilized people, held rallies and then were used and then abandoned by the rising new elites remaining from the old Soviet system.

In this edition, a brief essay presents the history of the South of Russia, as well as modern (at the beginning of XX century) life by the different peoples inhabiting the region. The book is excerpted from what was a fundamental source - a multivolume work on the geography and history of Russia: 'Russian. Full geographical description of our fatherland.' It was compiled and printed for many...

The book is a collection of analytical articles examining the current ideological trends inside of Russia from liberal-democratic to imperial, nationalistic and more.

Published by the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, this book examines the causes and character of the war and the process in which a local conflict is escalated into an international conflict. Of particular interest to the author is the role and activities of the United Nations.

The reference book contains information about the famous writers of the XX century. The data organized the unique way: first goes the biographical data, then some original text and it is concluded by criticism. The presented writers are: I.Bunin, M.Gorkii, M.Sholokhov, S.Esenin, A.Blok, M.Bulgakov, A.Platonov, A.Tvardovsky, F.Abramov, V.Astaf'ev, V.Rasputin, V. Shukshin.

The name of Father Gapon is intimately connected with the history of the first Russian revolution (1905-1907). During the Soviet period he was considered by many and indeed labeled in Soviet history books as a police provocateur. But was he really?

The British sociologist Roger Pethybridge attempts to create a complete picture of the dramatic events in Russian history. He worked with eyewitness accounts from both observers and active participants in these events. He was able to accurately capture the atmosphere and mood of those days.