Russian Orientalism: Asia in the Russian Mind from Peter the Great to the Emigration Review

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Russian Orientalism: Asia in the Russian Mind from Peter the Great to the Emigration ReviewIt is quite obvious that David Schimmelpenninck van der Oye is a well-trained historian who has done his homework. This book appears to be a product of an open mind, a sharp intellect, and the years of studyng Russian and pouring over the sources in many languages. It is also nice to read a book on Russia which is pure history, and doesn't have an accusatory political undertone, as many "think-tank" and even University publications assume vis-a-vis Russia. The book doesn't try to inject current political ideas into the events of the past or find the roots of current Russia in the "Golden Horde". It is rather the other way around, he argues that the Russian attitudes vis-a-vis "l'Orient" were often more sensible and the contacts more well-established than the Moscow's western rivals. As a Russian who grow up in the Russia's Far East, I don't agree with everything in the book, but I still think this is a significant achievement. There are about 50 pages of notes in the book, circa 200 Russian names in the Index (I spotted only one misspelled Russian name in the span of 240 pages of text!). The book illuminates many previously unknown facts, connections, names, and places. It is quite nice that he dedicated many pages to Russian music and literature. Without "Oriental" influence the Russian culture wouldn't be what it is. It doesn't surprise me that Pushkin read the Koran in Odessa. Essentially it is a path-breaking book, although he borrows he title "Russian Orientalism" (and perhaps an idea or two) from an obscure 1987 M.A. thesis by Katya Hockanson (she is now a Professor of History and Director of Russian studies program in the University of Oregon, so she undoubtedly was "on" to something). The author's level of knowledge and understanding of Russia and the Russian history seems to me very high - probably at the level of James Billington's "The Icon and the Axe". Overall, I think it is a terrific book, which asks the right questions and opens up a nice debate.Russian Orientalism: Asia in the Russian Mind from Peter the Great to the Emigration Overview

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