andallthat.co.uk
  • Blog
  • GCSE / A Level Topics
    • America 1789-1900
    • Antisemitism
    • British Radicalism 1789-1900
    • Crusades
    • Elizabeth I
    • Germany 1919-45
    • Historical Interpretations
    • Historic Environment
    • International Relations 1900-2000
    • Italian Renaissance
    • Medicine
    • Medieval Kings
    • Russia 1855-1921
    • Soviet Russia
    • Politics Files
  • KS3 Topics
    • Interpretations
    • Stand-Alone Lessons
    • NEW KS3 File Store
    • OLD KS3 File Store
    • Student Resources
  • Advice
    • GCSE Options
    • A Level Options
    • Personal Studies
    • University Applications >
      • Choosing Courses
      • General Advice
      • Personal Statements
      • Predicted Grades
  • Teachers
    • YHEP Teach Meet
    • Stand-Alone Lessons >
      • Ancient World
      • Medieval World
      • Early Modern
      • Industrial Revolution
      • Modern World
      • Post-Modern World
    • KS3 Teaching Resources
  • MeetTheHistorians
  • Trips
  • About
    • SubBlog
  • Contact

Book Review: A Gentle Axe - A St Petersburg Mystery

8/22/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Not fancying a dose of Dostoevsky or Chekhov? Why not give RN Morris a go? Morris' St Petersburg Mystery series is set in Tsarist Russia around the mid 1860s, during the reign of Alexander II. It follows the investigations of detective Porfiry Petrovich as he solves crimes in the new justice system set up by Alexander II. 

The first book in the series, "A Gentle Axe" sees Petrovich investigating the deaths of two people in suspicious circumstances. At first it appears that the a dwarf found hacked to pieces in a suitcase has been murdered in a fit of rage by another man found hanging nearby, but it quickly become apparent that there is more to the case than meets the eye. 

The investigation which follows sees Petrovich plumb the murky depths beneath St Petersburg's respectable veneer, meeting with aristocratic prejudice along the way. The book also deals with the issues of legal reform in Russia, as well as nihilism and dissidence, and therefore is a really good book to read for a sense of period. 

An enjoyable and pacey book - this is well worth a try. The book is available HERE

Have you read the book? Let me know your thoughts by commenting here or posting on Twitter @andallthatweb #bookreview

Mr F

0 Comments

Murray's Travel Guides to Tsarist Russia - A Fantastic Window on Life in Imperial Russia

3/8/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ever wondered what it would be like to have visited Russia in the C19th? Well wonder no more. You can download and read two wonderful travel guides to Russia from the mid C19th for free via Google Books. The guides are part of the Murray "Traveler's Handbook" series and were aimed at wealthy Englishmen (sic.) heading to foreign parts. They are as much an insight into English culture as to Russian to be frank. I would recommend reading the introductory sections to both guides.

The first of the two guides, written in 1849 offers an interesting insight into pre-reform Russia under Nicholas I. It covers issues of censorship, passports and police searches, as well as the difficulties experienced in finding a good hotel. The author seems most vexed that the hotels he stays in expect him to supply his own linen and servants... The way he describes the hotels though is an interesting metaphor for Russia at this time (discuss?):

Though imposing on the outside, many of these hotels are wretched and dirty within ; they are, in fact, merely large lodging houses, divided into sets of apartments, to many of which a small kitchen is attached ; not an atom of carpet or matting is to be seen, and the scanty furniture is of a very inferior description.
The second of the guides was written in 1865 and covers the changes which had occurred in Russia under Alexander II. Notably, a very positive spin is given on the reformed Russia. This fits perfectly into that period before the assassination attempt and the reintroduction of repression. 

Both guides give fantastic insights into the country and how it changed over time and both are fascinating in what they choose to include or miss out! 
There has hitherto been some difficulty in passing books, maps, guides, and other products of the press, but a recent regulation permits the introduction of all such printed works as Continental travellers are in the habit of carrying with them, excluding the publications of the Russian revolutionary press in London and elsewhere. Travellers are cautioned against introducing the latter works. Bibles and Prayer-Books are not touched, nor need the Handbook be any longer concealed. When the books are in large parcels, they will be forwarded by the frontier authorities to the Censorship Com mittee at St. Petersburg, by which they are examined, and ultimately restored to the owner. English and foreign newspapers are not seized, as formerly, when used as wrappers.
I sense a lesson based on these coming on for next year!

Mr F
0 Comments

Tsarist Russia 1855-1914 Podcasts - Great Resource from the HA #tweko

1/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some excellent Tsarist Russia era podcasts from Prof. Peter Waldron. To use this you will need to login to the HA student zone with username @andallthatweb and the password from your teacher. You can listen to the podcasts HERE

Topics:
1. What were the pressures on the Russian ruling elite? Russia's international position. The Crimean war.
2. Domestic pressures. A backward economy, pressure to modernise.
3. The threat of popular discontent.
4. Inconsistent responses from the Tsars: Reform and reaction.
5. Assassination and terrorism. Alexander III authoritarian response.
6. 1890s Russian industrialisation takes off and massive urban growth.
7. Nicholas II - the 1905 Revolution/War with Japan.
8. Russian Tsars unsure how to deal with modernisation, the desire to maintain power and short sightedness.



0 Comments

 Rulers of Russia 1855-1917 - Revision Sheets #tweko

10/18/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have attached some overview revision sheets for the Russia topic here. Each  addresses the issue of how well the ruler dealt with demands for reform. Use these to help structure your revision. I will be updating these  as we go through the year. Thanks to Mr Adams for the overview of Alexander II's regin sheet.

Mr F

lesson_10_-_alexander_ii_review_sheet.pdf
File Size: 349 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

lesson_10_-_alexander_ii_-_overview_-_mas.docx
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

0 Comments

    Teaching Resources

    Archives

    March 2015
    August 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    September 2011
    October 2009
    June 2009

    Categories

    All
    1855-1881
    1905 Revolution
    1917 Revolution
    Alexander Ii
    Alexander Iii
    Book Review
    Boshevik Russia
    C19th Russia
    Civil War
    Exams
    Files
    Film
    General
    Historiography
    Lenin
    Mr Ford
    Nicholas II
    Overview
    Podcast
    Propaganda
    Provisional Government
    Revision
    Romanovs
    Specification
    Textbook
    Tsarist Russia
    Wwi

    RSS Feed

    Tweets by @AndAllThatWeb
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.