The Icon and the Axe: An Interpretative History of Russian Culture (Vintage)

_The Icon and the Axe: An Interpretive History of Russian Culture_, first published in 1966 and made available here by Vintage Books, by renowned Russian scholar James H. Billington is a fascinating and highly detailed account of Russia's unique cultural history. James H. Billington (1929 - ) is a renowned Russian scholar who was a professor at Harvard and Princeton and is currently serving as the Librarian of Congress. His work has chiefly focused on Russian history and culture and also revolutionary movements including his excellent book _Fire in the Minds of Men_ (1980). Billington's scholarship is of the highest caliber, but his books may prove difficult for some given the fact that they are heavily footnoted and extremely scholarly. Billington defines this book as an "interpretive history of modern Russian thought and culture" and explains that resulting from his own reflections it offers a selective account of the rise and development of Russian culture and thought in the last 600 years. Russian culture offers a unique heritage and this book explores that heritage as it has existed in Russia's history. In his Preface, Billington explains that two artifacts have been chosen to serve as the title for this book - the icon and the axe - and that each has a unique and important meaning. The icon or holy picture represents Russia's spiritual heritage; while the axe is an unholy weapon. Both of these artifacts may be found "hung together on the wall of the peasant hut in the wooded Russian north" and "suggest both the visionary and earthy aspects of Russian culture". However, as the author notes ironically, the icon has been wielded by charlatans and demagogues while the axe has been wielded by saints and artists. Several important components play into Russia's cultural heritage including the history of the tsars, the lives of the peasants represented strongly in the traditions of their religion Eastern Christianity, and later the arrival of the Marxists who took over Russia in the form of Bolshevism. Billington identifies three supra-personal forces at work in Russian culture - nature itself, Eastern Christendom, and the impact of the West. This book explores all such important components in detail. The book is expertly footnoted and includes several detailed maps and various images and pictures.Billington begins his book with a Preface in which he explains his understanding of an interpretive cultural history, explores the notions behind the artifacts of the icon and the axe, and traces out his cultural history of Russia. This is followed by a section detailing his Acknowledgements. The first part of the book is entitled "Background". Here, Billington begins by detailing the earliest history of modern Russia as it existed in "Kiev", the role of the Slavs and Mongols, and the arrival of Christianity in the form of Eastern Orthodoxy. Billington explores ancient Russia literature and various sagas and lays. Following this, Billington turns to "The Forest" where he traces out Russia's earliest history, noting the relationship between the ancient tribes, how Eastern Christianity came to dominate, and the history of earliest Russia. Billington details this through sections exploring "Axe and Icon" and "Bell and Cannon". The second part of this book is entitled "The Confrontation" and explores the early Fourteenth to the early Seventeenth centuries. Billington traces out "The Muscuvite Ideology", noting the rise of Moscow as the "third Rome", tracing the heritage of the Russian rulers from the time of the semi-legendary Riurik, and exploring the mystical traditions of the Eastern Church and the Hesychasts. Billington next examines "The Coming of the West", noting the problematic role of Russia's relationship with the West. Billington discusses such things as "Novgorod", ""The Latins"", ""The Germans"", and "The Religious Wars". In particular, Billington notes the importance of Spain on Russia, the relationship between the Eastern churches and the Roman Catholics, the role of the tsars and the tsar seen as an Old Testament king, the notion of "Holy Rus", and various other relationships between Russia and the West. The third part of this book is entitled "The Century of Schism" and discusses history between the periods of the Mid-Seventeenth to the Mid-Eighteenth centuries. Billington discusses such things as "The Split Within" mentioning the schism of 1667 and considering such responses as "The Theocratic Answer", "The Fundamentalist Answer", and "The Great Change". Billington also discusses "The Westward Turn" mentioning such things as "New Religious Answers", "The Sectarian Tradition", "The New World of St. Petersburg", and "The Defense of Muscovy". The fourth part of this book is entitled "The Century of Aristocratic Culture" and discusses the Mid-Eighteenth to the Mid-Nineteenth centuries. Billington first discusses "The Troubled Enlightenment". Here, Billington examines such topics as "The Dilemma of the Reforming Despot", "The Fruits of the Enlightenment", "The Alienation of the Intellectuals", "Novikov and Masonry", and "The Frustration of Political Reform". Following this, Billington examines "The Anti-Enlightenment". Billington examines the forces operating against the Enlightenment in the form of the "Catholics", the "Pietists", the "Orthodox", and "The Legacy". Next, Billington considers ""The Cursed Questions"", examining the problems taken up by aristocratic intellectuals. Billington examines such topics as "The Flight to Philosophy", "The Meaning of History", "The Prophetic Role of Art", "The Missing Madonna", and "The "Hamlet Question"". The fifth part of this book is entitled "On to New Shores" and examines thought as it developed in the second half of the Nineteenth Century. Billington examines such issues as "The Turn to Social Thought", "The Agony of Populist Art", and "New Perspectives of the Waning Century" (including discussion of "Constitutional Liberalism", "Dialectical Materialism", and "Mystical Idealism"). The sixth part of this book is entitled "The Uncertain Collosus" and examines the period of the Twentieth century including the rise of the Soviets. Billington first devotes a section entitled "Crescendo" in which he examines periods following the revolution of 1917 and discussing such things as "Prometheanism", "Sensualism", and "Apocalypticism". Following this, Billington discusses "The Soviet Era" mentioning such topics as "The Leninist Legacy" and "The Revenge of Muscovy". Next, Billington discusses "Fresh Ferment", mentioning some of the accomplishments in Russian culture under Bolshevism. Here, Billington discusses such things as "The Reprise of Pasternak" and "New Voices". This part ends with a discussion of "The Irony of Russian History". Here, Billington discusses the concept of irony and absurdity, traces the role of Russian history from the time of the tsars to the post-Stalinist era, and discusses Russia in a post-Stalinist world. The book ends with an extremely detailed Bibliography, References, and an Index.This book offers an extremely rich source of valuable material on Russia's unique and lasting cultural contributions. Many themes play out throughout the book including the natural spirituality of the Russian people and the role of the Eastern churches, the history of the Russian tsars and the courtly culture, the role of aristocrats and intellectuals, the role of artists, writers, and poets, the problematic of Russia's relationship with the West, and finally the rise of the Soviet state and Russia under the Soviets. If one seeks to understand these contributions of Russian culture, one can surely look in no better source than here. While the book is difficult, it remains an essential study meandering through the threads of Russian cultural history and bringing forth much detailed and rich information. It is highly recommended to all those who seek to understand in depth Russian culture.

I have read many books about Russian architecture, art, tsars, imperial costume and jewelry, and have lots of books of photos of the tsars, Russian houses, churches, Faberge, etc. I have visited St. Petersburg and saw many wonderful palaces and native arts. This book is just too academic and learned for me, who holds a Master's degree. It is packed with SO much information that it makes it hard to slog through. I wish it had been more accessible to a person who is NOT interested in such a great amount of detail. If you do like all the minutae, then this book is for you! It is a good reference book if you use the index and find exactly the leader, tsar, composer or artist that you want. this book has caused me to ask for some Russian short stories and poetry for Christmas gifts. The author is undoubtedly extremely well versed in Russian history and the arts. If he could have edited it to half its length he could have kept my interest. He goes for chapters and chapters on the Old Believers, for example. I will try reading Natasha's Dance which perhaps will be more geared to a general readership.

This book is far from out of date. Billington, for the most part, successfully touches on the threads while identifying the larger images. Reading this and Figes’ Natasha‘s Dance back to back was an immersion and a treat.

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The Icon and the Axe. This book is a classic treatment of the topic: densely researched, gracefully written, and quick-paced throughout its 800 pages (rivaling many Russian novels in this latter respect). Delivery by Books Land was prompt, and both icon and axe arrived carefully wrapped and in great shape. Five stars all around.

By far, if you study Russian history, culture, or language... you can't get away without reading this book.

This book evidently is the result of a disertation as it has the typical structure of such a document. It really needs to be read in conjunction with other books on Russian History to get its full impact. It is highly documented with lots of notes. It gives Russian history a new look, telling you why Russia had to do certain things. It was very enlightening and well organized and written. I would give it a must buy recommendation.

This was one of the books indicated in a course entitled Russian Culture. I highly recommend it. It's very well written and interesting.

This is a fascinating book, which should be read as a companion piece to the more recent "Natasha's Dance," by Orlando Figes. "Icon and Axe" provides a general overview of the religious and cultural events which shaped modern day Russia.This is relevant reading nowadays in the era of Vladimir Putin, because Billington traces the origin of 'Rus' back to its roots in the Ukraine. This past does not justify Putin's invasion of the Ukraine, but it certainly explains the reluctance of the average Russian to leave the Ukraine alone and independent.The irony is that early Rus was founded by Scandinavian kings, and there was considerable intermarriage with early European rulers, so Rus looked both west and east in its earliest days. If only 21st century Russian politics could be as flexible and open as medieval Rus was!

Questo volume offre un'occasione unica per avvicinarsi alla cultura russa, interpretata a partire dalle origini fino all'Unione Sovietica degli anni '60. Presenta, con una prosa scorrevole e discorsiva, una sintesi perfetta di storia, cultura e letteratura, coinvolgendo il lettore e fornendogli contemporaneamente la possibilità di interpretare comportamenti, credo e destino di questo popolo. Preziosa e imponente la bibliografia, che costituisce quasi un quarto del volume. L'unico limite, forse, è la data di pubblicazione di questo saggio, 1966, che presenta però un ulteriore stimolo alla conoscenza delle opere successive dedicate alla Russia di questo straordinario autore.

always satisfactory results... happy with purchasing from you..

Very informative. A dense book that can seem overwhelming, but is great for those interested in Russia.