Incomparable villains and heroes surge through the history of medieval Russia. Ivan IV may have been dubbed the Terrible, but when he died, the Rurik dynasty that had ruled Russia for centuries came to an end. And what followed was far worse. This volume is the history of Russia's struggle through a period of weak rulers, false pretendants to the throne, foreign invasions and civil strife. Even the weather was disastrous, and famine was inevitable. War, butchery and betrayals ensued until the Romanov Dynasty took control.
The aim of this study is to explain the present state of Russia's political economy in the light of the past, for the future. Three phases have been identified in Russia's successful economic transition since the crisis of August 1998. Phase one was associated predominantly with an effective depreciation in the value of the ruble, which is a necessary condition for macroeconomic stabilization.
The She-King of Egypt - Why did Hatshepsut decide to rule Egypt as a man? Australia's Dry Run - Farmers feel betrayed by the climate. Changing Rains - Droughts and deluges could stir up political unrest. Svalbard's Ice Paradise - Seals, bears, and birds flourish on Norway's islands. Resurrecting Russia's Church - The faithful search for a new, post-Soviet identity. Vanishing Amphibians - Scientists race to save them from threats.
