When first published, Charles Ziegler's The History of Russia was acclaimed as a source of information not easily found elsewhere, and as "clear, balanced, and insightful," by Rajan Menon of Lehigh University. Now Ziegler's remarkable volume returns, fully updated to be the work of choice for readers looking for an introduction to the history of the world's largest country.

The History of Russia: Second Edition moves from the 10th-century founding of Kievan Rus to the czars to the Communist Era to the present, with particular emphasis on the fall of the Soviet...

Myanmar has experienced a seemingly endless series of conquerors, dating from prehistoric times through the reign of Kublai Khan's Mongol forces beginning in the late 1200s, all the way through the modern era, when it was subject to both British colonial control and invasion by the Japanese during World War II.

"The History of Myanmar" provides a detailed, historical overview of the key people, places, and events in this often-overlooked country's past and present. It examines the history of Myanmar, from Neolithic times to all of its ruling dynasties to the modern era in a...

Drawing on dramatic recent developments in research, The History of Puerto Rico offers the most up-to-date and fully realized exploration of the island's past for students, travelers, and general readers alike.

The History of Puerto Rico ranges from the earliest indigenous settlements to the reign of the Taino, from the centuries under Spanish control through more than 100 years of life under the U.S. flag. Insightful and authoritative, the book helps readers understand the history behind Puerto Rico's complicated contemporary political status, its unique...

Thailand is a fascinating country with a very rich culture and history. Today, it is home to over 60 million people, and is a newly industrialized nation with an emerging world economy. Thailand is the world's leading exporter of rice, with roughly half of its arable land dedicated to rice fields. As home to one of the earliest iron and bronze cultures, Thailand can be regarded as a "cradle of civilization."

This book is divided into 11 chapters that follow an introduction that explains the text's scope, organization and methodology. A chronology of historical events,...

Notwithstanding Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's disdain for the United States, our nation has played a significant role in shaping Nicaraguan nationalism, as well as the country's political, economic, and social systems. The History of Nicaragua was written, in part, to help students and other interested readers understand that relationship, providing them with an up-to-date, concise, and analytical history of the Central American nation.

The book begins by describing the people, geography, culture, and current political, economic, and social systems of Nicaragua....

The History of the Czech Republic and Slovakia charts historical developments in the two nations to the opening decade of the 21st century. The book begins with an overview of the geography, climate, people, economy, and government of both the Czech and Slovak republics. Subsequent chapters offer a chronologically organized survey of historical events, trends, ideas, and people.

Starting with the early Slavic settlements around the 5th century AD, the book explores Czech and Slovak history through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Early Modern eras, the...

Iran is a vast country with a storied, ancient past, a great diversity of cultures and ethnicities, and a location in arguably the most unstable area of the world. Iran's history over the last two centuries--developing as a modern nation-state, freeing itself from foreign domination, and asserting its influence in both the region and the world--has been particularly fascinating.

This title gives an overview of Iranian history written for a general audience. It is intended to acquaint readers with the important events and personalities that have shaped that long history. In this second...

Honduras has suffered both political trauma and natural disasters throughout its history. In 1969, Honduras' political tensions with El Salvador during a soccer series preliminary to the World Cup led to the four-day-long "Football War." In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused billions of dollars of damage to Honduras; ten years later, half of the country's roadways were ruined, often beyond repair, by substantial flooding. Most recently, many countries have frowned upon the Honduran government's shift of power from the president to the head of Congress.

"The History of Honduras" provides a...

Now an Eastern European leader in the fields of science and technology, a nation with impressive renewable energy production capabilities and an extensive communication infrastructure, as well as a top exporter of minerals and metals, Bulgaria has grown both economically and politically over the past two decades.

"The History of Bulgaria" examines the country's development, describing its cultural, political, and social history and development over 13 centuries. The modern era is particularly emphasized, including Bulgaria's role in World War II, the long tenure of Communist leader...