Orlando Figes

Orlando Figes is a British historian and author known for his works on Russian history, including the Russian Revolution and the cultural history of Russia.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Natasha’s Dance

    A Cultural History of Russia

    The book explores the rich and complex cultural history of Russia, tracing its evolution from the 18th century to the present day. It delves into the interplay between Russian art, literature, music, and society, highlighting how these elements have been influenced by and have influenced the nation's tumultuous political landscape. Through vivid narratives and detailed analysis, the book examines the lives and works of key figures in Russian culture, offering insights into the unique characteristics that define the Russian identity.

    The 8782nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. A People's Tragedy

    The Russian Revolution 1891-1924

    "A People's Tragedy" is an in-depth exploration of the Russian Revolution from 1891 to 1924. The book offers a comprehensive study of the Revolution's roots, its progression, and its aftermath, from the famine that gripped Russia in the 1890s, through the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, to the establishment of the Bolshevik regime and the death of Lenin. The author uses a broad range of sources, including personal letters, diaries, and government documents, to present a detailed, humanized view of the Revolution's impact on everyday individuals, bringing to life the experiences of peasants, workers, soldiers, and intellectuals.

    The 13583rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. The Europeans

    Three Lives and the Making of a Cosmopolitan Culture

    Set against the backdrop of the 19th-century European cultural renaissance, this narrative explores the dynamic interplay between art, politics, and society, highlighting how the continent's burgeoning cultural exchanges shaped modern Europe. Through the lives of three central figures—a Russian writer, a French opera singer, and a Spanish diplomat—the story delves into the transformative power of art and the intricate web of relationships that transcended national boundaries. It paints a vivid picture of an era where cultural collaboration and innovation flourished, laying the groundwork for the interconnected world we know today.

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  4. 4. The Crimean War

    A History

    This comprehensive historical account delves into the complexities of the mid-19th century conflict that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe. The narrative explores the intricate web of political, religious, and cultural tensions that led to the war, highlighting the roles of major powers such as Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, the book examines the brutal realities of warfare, the impact on soldiers and civilians, and the lasting consequences that influenced international relations and military strategies for decades to come.

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  5. 5. Story Of Russia

    A History

    This compelling narrative delves into the intricate tapestry of Russia's history, exploring the evolution of its national identity through the lens of its myths, legends, and cultural milestones. It examines how historical events, from the rise of the Tsars to the Soviet era and beyond, have shaped the Russian psyche and influenced its place on the global stage. The book offers a nuanced perspective on the interplay between power, culture, and ideology, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the forces that have molded Russia into the nation it is today.

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  6. 6. The Story Of Russia

    A History

    This compelling narrative delves into the intricate tapestry of Russia's history, exploring the nation's evolution from its early beginnings to its modern-day complexities. It examines the cultural, political, and social forces that have shaped Russia, offering insights into the country's unique identity and its role on the global stage. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, the book provides a nuanced understanding of the events and figures that have defined Russia's past and continue to influence its present and future.

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  7. 7. The Whisperers

    Private Life in Stalin's Russia

    Set against the backdrop of Stalinist Russia, this compelling narrative delves into the lives of ordinary citizens who navigated the treacherous waters of a totalitarian regime. Through a tapestry of personal stories, it reveals the pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion that permeated society, where whispers could lead to denunciation and imprisonment. The book paints a vivid picture of resilience and survival, as families and individuals grappled with the moral complexities of living under constant surveillance, highlighting the indomitable human spirit in the face of oppression.

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  8. 8. Die Europäer

    Three Lives and the Making of a Cosmopolitan Culture

    Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Europe, this narrative delves into the intricate tapestry of cultural and social transformations that shaped the continent. Through the intertwined lives of three central figures, the story explores the profound impact of art, literature, and music in bridging national divides and fostering a shared European identity. It captures the vibrant exchange of ideas and the burgeoning sense of interconnectedness that defined an era, highlighting the power of creativity and intellectual collaboration in transcending borders and forging a new cultural landscape.

  9. 9. Revolutionary Russia, 1891 1991

    A History

    A concise synthesis arguing that revolution in Russia was not a single event but a century-long process, it follows the trajectory from the 1891 famine and late-imperial crisis through the 1905 and 1917 upheavals, civil war, Leninist and Stalinist state-building, terror and collectivization, the Second World War, postwar reconstruction and thaw, and late-Soviet stagnation to perestroika and collapse in 1991, showing how ideology, violence, and bureaucratic control reshaped society while ultimately sowing the seeds of the system’s demise.

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  10. 10. Fluisteraars

    Private Life in Stalin's Russia

    Drawing on diaries, letters, interviews and archives, the book reconstructs how Stalinist terror penetrated private life in the Soviet Union, turning homes into spaces of fear, secrecy and enforced silence; it shows how arrests, denunciations and the constant threat of exile reshaped family relationships, gender roles and intimate behavior, producing widespread mistrust, concealment and moral compromises, while also revealing small acts of courage, solidarity and everyday adaptation that people used to survive and preserve memory under an atmosphere of surveillance and suspicion.

  11. 11. Het Verhaal Van Rusland Mythe En Macht Van Vladimir De Grote Tot Vladimir Poetin

    Mythe En Macht Van Vladimir De Grote Tot Vladimir Poetin

    Een brede, levendige geschiedenis van Rusland die vanaf de tijd van Vladimir de Grote tot aan Vladimir Poetin de ontwikkeling van macht, identiteit en mythen onderzoekt. De auteur verweeft politieke gebeurtenissen — tsaren, revoluties, Sovjetmodernisering en de postsovjetische terugkeer van autoritarisme — met culturele en religieuze tradities, en laat zien hoe historische verhalen en mythes de legitimiteit van heersers en het nationale zelfbeeld vormden. Het boek combineert politieke analyse, sociale en culturele context en persoonlijke verhalen om te verklaren waarom en op welke manier macht continu wordt geconstrueerd en gerechtvaardigd in Rusland.