Yermak's Campaign in Siberia: A Selection of Documents

x+315 pages with 2 maps (one folding), 155 illustrations including fold out frontispiece and index. Octavo (8 3/4" x 5 1/2") bound in original publisher's blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine and gilt sailing ship Victoria to front cover. A selection of documents translated from the Russian by Tatiana Minorsky and David Wileman. "Yermak as folk-hero" contributed by William Harrison. Second Series, volume 146. First edition.

The Russian conquest of Siberia was event of which the consequences have only slowly become apparent. Already great, they may come to dominate much of our world; with today's technology, a resource base of this size and richness confers immense power on the owner. The conquest was a gradual process of absorption. But if one had to assign a time and place for its start, then one would certainly chose the campaign of Yermak in the 1580's. This enterprise was by no meas wholly successful, and probably fewer than a thousand Russians participated in it. But it was the first entry in force into Siberia, and Russian historians have long regarded it as crucial. Among English-speakers, the events are not so well known. The object of this book is to provide the reader of English with translations of the most important documents relating to the campaign. There are several narrative accounts, collectively known as the Siberian chronicles: the Stroganov, Yesipov, Remezov and New chronicles. The Remezov chronicle, written about 1700, is illustrated with 154 pen and ink drawings. These are reproduced here. The collection of documents is rounded out with seven charters or decrees of Ivan IV relating to the advance across the Urals. Armstrong's introduction provides background on Muscoy's eastern frontier in the 16th century; the Stroganov family; the cossacks, in particular Yermak Timofeyevich and his band; routes across the Urals; non-Russian peoples encountered; and the authorship and provenance of the chronicles.

Condition: Light rubbing to corners and edges else a very good copy in a near fine jacket.