Warfare, State And Society on the Black Sea Steepe 1500-1700

This crucial period in Russia`s history has been neglected by historians but, Brian L. Davies`s study provides an essential insight into the emergence of Russia as a great power.For nearly three centuries, Russia vied with the Crimean Khanate, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire for mastery of Ukraine and the fertile steppes above the Black Sea, a region of great strategic and economic importance - arguably the pivot of Eurasia at the time.The long campaign for it took a great toll upon Russia`s population, economy and institutions, and repeatedly frustrated or redefined Russian military and diplomatic projects in the West. The struggle was every bit as important as Russia`s wars in northern and central Europe for driving the Russian state-building process, forcing military reform and shaping Russia`s visions of Empire. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.