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27.01.2009 Books and Films From or About Russia The following are a handful of books and films that have recently come to our attention. The films are Russian movies that have recently been released in standard DVD-format and with English subtitles, making them easily accessible to American audiences. The books are largely focused on Russian politics, foreign relations, and/or the Russian economy. Most have been recently published or updated and provide a wide range of interesting material. Books Understanding Contemporary Russia Michael L. Bressler, ed. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2008 "Understanding Contemporary Russia" provides a thorough introduction to this complex country as it confronts the challenges of today's interdependent world. Interdisciplinary in design, the book is intended for use as a core text in introductory survey and politics courses and also as a supplement in a variety of discipline-oriented courses. Americans and Their Relations with Russia and China in the Twentieth Century by Donald Davis and Eugene Trani University of Missouri Press, 2009 As the United States enters the twenty-first century, it confronts two powers that loomed less large on the world stage a century before. Yet American policies toward Russia and China have been shaped by attitudes going back even further, as this new book relates. The American Mission and the "Evil Empire"  by David S. Foglesong Cambridge University Press, 2007 David S. Foglesong argues that America's drive to remake Russia in America's image goes back more than a hundred years - and that these entrenched attitudes have contributed to the deterioration of Russian-American relations. Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse by Stephen Kotkin Oxford University Press, 2008 Why did the Soviet Union fall without attempting to initiate a large-scale military operation to stamp out opposition and hold itself together - like Yugoslavia did when it broke up? The 2008 edition of this book come with a new chapter exploring changes in the Russian political and economic arena that occurred from 2000-2008.  Russian Orthodoxy Resurgent: Faith and Power in the New Russia by John Garrard and Carol Garrard Princeton University Press, 2008 [The Garrards] focus on Aleksy II's agenda both to reroot Russian Orthodoxy to its claim as the true apostolic succession in Christendom (a challenge to Roman Catholicism's rival claim) and to reidentify it with Russian nationalism. The former claim lies in New Testament texts the Garrards clearly explain, while their discussion of Aleksy II's activities in the latter realm display the authors' supple understanding of Russian patriotism and its religio-military heroes going back to Alexander Nevsky. An important work for students of contemporary Russia. (Gilbert Taylor, Booklist )  Collapse of an Empire: Lessons for Modern Russia by Yegor Gaidar Brookings Institution Press, 2007 In today's Russia, nostalgia for the Soviet era is growing. Many Russians reflect wistfully on the passing of an era when the Soviet Union was a superpower, commanding international respect, and they blame its demise on external enemies and foolish changes in policy. However, economic reformer and former Russian prime minister Yegor Gaidar illustrates why such notions are misguided, ill informed, and dangerous. Putin's Labyrinth: Spies, Murder, and the Dark Heart of the New Russia by Steve LeVine Random House, 2008 In Putin's Labyrinth, acclaimed journalist Steve LeVine, who lived in and reported from the former Soviet Union for more than a decade, provides a penetrating account of modern Russia under the repressive rule of an all-powerful autocrat. LeVine portrays the growth of a “culture of death”–from targeted assassinations of the state’s enemies to the Kremlin’s indifference when innocent hostages are slaughtered.  Russian Films Recently released in DVD format with English subtitles Ostrov (The Island) (2006) A biographical tale of a fictional monk, the movie was popular in Russia for its strong moral message and flowing language. During World War II, the Nazis commandeer a Russian barge. They offer one sailor the chance to live if he shoots his captain. The sailor reluctantly takes the opportunity - and spends the rest of his life seeking redemption. He joins a monastery and spends his time praying alone on an uninhabited island - and eventually finds the redemption he seeks. Piter-FM (2006) A romantic comedy about a woman who loses her cell phone, a man who finds it, and how they both find love that they weren't looking for.    Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007) From Russian director Sergei Bodrov comes a surprisingly gentle (and visually beautiful) look at the rise to power of a man who conquered Russia: Genghis Khan.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Study Abroad in Russia SRAS Travel Services  The Library: All About Russia Find Out More! History of Russian Holidays History of the Russian Dacha Internships in Russia Heath and Safety in Russia The SRAS Newsletter Library: What You Want to Know More Eurasian Regions and Cities Journal for Students More Free Resources!  Questions or comments? 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