Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia,   ISBN:9780964418417

Customer Rating: 

I have read many books about Russian history and culture. This excellent volume remains one of my favorites. It is colorful and informative, and I have found myself revisiting it frequently. It offers a strong narrative and many beautiful illustrations , as well as valuable insights into the minds and careers of an exceptionally varied group of protagonists.

Customer Rating: 

This is the "great work of Old Russia, a wonderful dream mixture of folklore, poetry, social history, and petite histoire" that Nabokov's Timofey Pnin was planning to write.

Customer Rating: 

The book is in acceptable condition, but not in the condition that I was led to believe it was in.

Customer Rating: 

I purchased this book based on reviews I read. I am making a two week trip to Russia and this book opened my eyes; I had become locked into thinking about Russia from the cold war- Soviet Union era only, but no longer. I now have much more respect for Russia and Russians than I did before reading the book.

Customer Rating: 

The book is a great survey of Russian culture and art since the Christianity of the lands. The vivid narration drags the reader into the beautiful world. The offered pictures are fantastic and I hope I will have the chance to see those things myself when I travel to Russia. However, the book was written some time ago and it has some out-of-date details. Plus I found it to be a bit idealistic from the history point of view. I would add a bit more pragmatic tone to this book. Otherwise, a pleasurable reading.
I would also recommend Natasha's Dance: a cultural history of Russia. It is a more modern outlook.