A very readable, condensed history of Russia's multiple transformations from her illiterate, pagan, Slavic roots to a multi-ethnic empire. Well-known scholar Ronald Hingley summarizes the tragic history of Russia from the invasions of the Tartars, Napoleon and Germans to the collapse of the Soviet Union. He doesn't shy from the abuses of power by autocratic tsars and the totalitarian Communist regime. With 205 well-integrated illustrations and four maps.  (RUS04, $19.95)