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The Icon and the Axe : An Interpretive History of Russian Culture |
Author: James Billington
Published: 1970-12-12 |
List price: $23.00
Our price: $15.64
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Customer comments on this selection.
 A Brilliant and Beautiful Russian Cultural History.
_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.
A foundation to understanding Russia
When I began my business career in Russia, I asked a Finnish banker "What makes a Russian tick?" The immediate response was read "The Icon and the Axe." I did that and have recommended to many others and the indispensible basic work to begin understanding Russia and the Russians. We each have to have our own experience in that world, but Dr. Billington's book is the best first step. Much of what I learned was put to use and reflected in my own account. Walking on Ice: An American Businessman in Russia
 Details
This book was at times, so very detailed as to be ponderous.
However,these details also provided a wealth of information and a great source for future reference.
Topoplsky
Russian Culture Viewed Through A Prism
This is an impressive chronicle on Russian culture, emphasising its `intellectual and artistic' qualities over the past six centuries and bringing many unknown facets to light. Billington speaks of three `forces' in particular that dominate the main narrative; `The natural surroundings, the Christian heritage, and the Western contacts of Russia'. Each of these themes reveals a wealth of insight and understanding; `the natural surroundings' become an elemental power where a...`Telluric sense of communion with the earth' alternates `with a restless impulse to be `skitaltsy' or wanderers over the Russian land'. `The Christian heritage,' looks at Russian Orthodoxy in the broader context of an all encompassing `spiritual culture' that `permeates' through all of life; and `the Western contacts of Russia' relates the growing inevitability of Russia impinging upon Europe and itself being altered through European currents of action and thought. We read how... `Catherine substituted the city for the monastery as the main centre of Russian culture. She, and not Peter, closed down monasteries on a massive scale'...and so on for page after page, as though mining a rich seam. This is a hugely ambitious book that succeeds triumphantly and is truly worth the immersion!
Great History, mediocre writing
This really is a great account of a nation with a long, deep history. It does cover Russia in a very nearly exhaustive fashion. Unfortunately it's repetitive nature detracts from its ability to be readily absorbed.
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