Publishing in Tsarist Russia: A History of Print Media from Enlightenment to Revolution

Benedict Anderson's theory of the rise of nation-states and national identities is challenged by the history of Russian publishing, which reveals how the popular press played an important and complex Imperial role. Russian publications were able to effectively operate within the structure of Imperialism but as a public space, they went beyond the control of the Tsar and ethnic Russians. This volume provides a fresh take on the history of Russian publishing and contributes significantly to our understanding of print media, language, and empire from the 18th to 20th centuries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The late-1700s witnessed a remarkable expansion of print media, which played a pivotal role in shaping national history and standardizing national languages. This phenomenon led to the formation of nation-states and the emergence of distinct national identities, often at the expense of older empires. However, the case of Russian publishing challenges this narrative, revealing how the popular press played an intricate and complex Imperial role while also providing a "soft infrastructure" that allowed subjects to challenge and reshape Imperial order.

One of the key factors contributing to the popularity of Russian publications was the language itself. The Russian language, at that time, was a lingua franca, meaning it was spoken and understood across borders and boundaries by speakers of various nationalities. This linguistic diversity facilitated the circulation of Russian publications and allowed them to reach a wide audience.

Despite being a tool of the Imperial regime, Russian publications operated as a public space that went beyond the control of the Tsar and ethnic Russians. This was particularly evident during the period of the Russian Revolution, when the popular press played a crucial role in mobilizing and organizing the masses. Publications such as "The Bolshevik," "Krasnaya Zvezda," and "Pravda" provided a platform for socialist and communist ideas to spread and gain support among the working class and other marginalized groups.

The international team of scholars assembled in this volume offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the history of Russian publishing, shedding light on its role in shaping language, culture, and empire from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Their research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between print media, language, and power, and contributes significantly to our understanding of print media, language, and empire in the global context.

In conclusion, Publishing in Tsarist Russia is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the history of Russian publishing. By examining the role of the popular press in the context of Imperialism, the volume demonstrates how the Russian language and publications played a complex and multifaceted role in shaping national identity and challenging Imperial order. This book is a valuable resource for scholars of Russian history, comparative nationalism, and publishing studies, and will undoubtedly inspire further research and debate in these fields.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350246768