An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires

by Bloomsbury Academic

Overview

In 1991, the centrifugal forces of ethnic nationalism destroyed the Soviet Union. Religious and ethnic issues will be the defining principles of political life in East Europe, Transcaucasia, and Central Asia for the next decade. Yet when most Americans and Europeans read, for instance, of the Ossetians and Ingush, they have no idea who these peoples are or why they are fighting. This volume will provide a ready reference for students, researchers, and librarians who are trying to sort out the political and social struggles in that part of the world. Focusing on ethnolinguistic groups rather than peoples with purely religious orientations, Olson provides entries on over 450 ethnic groups, with appropriate cross-references. Each entry concludes with references, and the volume includes a selected bibliography of English-language titles. The volume also includes a chronology, several appendixes providing statistical information, and an appendix essay on Islam in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313274978
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/21/1994
Pages:	848
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 2.00(d)
Lexile:	1240L (what's this?)

About the Author

JAMES S. OLSON is Professor of History at Sam Houston State University. He is the author of many books, including The Indians of Central and South America: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary (Greenwood, 1991) and Dictionary of United States Economic History (Greenwood, 1992).

Table of Contents

The Dictionary
Ethnic Composition of the Soviet Union by Republic, 1990
Ethnic Populations of the Soviet Union, 1926-1989
Islam in Russia and the Soviet Union
A Chronology of the Russian and Soviet Empires
Major Political Subdivisions of the Soviet Union in 1990
Nationality, Language Loyalty, and Religion in the Soviet Union, 1989
Soviet Residence Patterns by Major Nationality Group, 1989
Ethnic Composition of the Autonomous Units of the Soviet Union in 1991
Selected Bibliography of Titles in English
Index

Editorial Reviews

A ready reference for students, researchers, and librarians who are trying to puzzle out the political, social, ethnic, and religious struggles occurring in East Europe, Transcaucasia, and Central Asia. Focusing on ethnolinguistic groups rather than peoples with purely religious orientations, Olson provides entries on some 450 ethnic groups, with appropriate cross-references. Each entry concludes with references, and the volume includes a selected bibliography of English-language titles. The volume also includes a chronology, several appendixes providing statistical information, and an appendix essay on Islam in Russia and the Soviet Union. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews