Strange Moment in American-Russian Relationship

history, Russia

In 1775, Colonies in North America rebelled against the British rule.  The British government discovered that it had a serious problem.  It had the best fleet in the world but it hardly had an army.  The British, like other monarchies of that period,...

Where is Europe?

book background, Europe, history, Russia

Is this a silly question?  It certainly seems silly.  Of course, we all know where Europe is.  But do we really?To know where Europe is one has to know where its borders are.  And what are Europe’s borders?  Well, it’s all water, isn’t...

Honey Spas?

Russia

Google “Honey Spas” and you will get a lot of suggestions for spas and hot tubs.  Google “Honey Spas Russia” and you will get something very different.In Russia, August 14 is celebrated as The Savior of the Honey Feast. The holiday is also referred to as Honey...

Worse than yesterday, better than in ’37

history, Russia

Eugene Volokh is a renowned UCLA law professor and a very popular blogger (The Volokh Conspiracy). His family emigrated to the US from the Soviet Union when he was 7 years old.In a recent post on his blog, he writes that he is often asked what he thinks...

Reactions to Russian literature

Roosevelt, Russia

Can you guess who wrote:“Tolstoy is a great writer.  Do you notice how he never comments on the actions of his personages?  He relates what they thought or did without any remark whatever as to whether it was good or bad, as Thucydides wrote history…”Well,...

Professor Domar on Serfdom and Slavery

history, Russia

Question:  when are land owners more likely to petition the ruler to restrict the freedom of peasants to move around:  when there are lots of peasants or when there are only few?  That was the question asked by Professor Domar of MIT.When peasants are...