Clear, readable, and interesting, this well-written history of Russia spans four centuries. Boterbloem (Univ. of South Florida) identifies Russia's tendency toward preservation of a militarized state as a common theme from 1613 to the present. The author emphasizes what are common eras--the power of religious faith, the variety of ethnic groups, the changing role of women, and the contributions of significant cultural figures. All of these dynamics help explain the consistent weakness of nationalism as a unifying force for Russia. Interesting passages unite common themes across different periods--for example, the mass suffering and the enormous number of casualties during WW I may have enabled Stalin to commit so many atrocities against individuals and groups in the 1930s. Historical photos support the author's conclusions. The first edition of this book appeared in 2013 (CH, Mar'14, 51-4012), before the Russian take-over of Crimea in 2014, so this second edition, which presents useful material on the historical roots of that action by Putin, is welcome. Catherine's conquest of the Crimea in the 1790s due to the threat from the Ottoman Empire, Russia's defeat in the Crimean War in the 1850s, and the difficult path of the Crimean Tatars are key to understanding the events of 2014. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.--James W. Peterson, emeritus, Valdosta State University