Table of Contents

Preface; Abbreviations; Chapter 1 The problem of power; Chapter 2 Catherine takes power; Chapter 3 Images of power; Chapter 4 The power of ideas: Catherine and the; philosophes; Chapter 5 Catherine and Russian political culture; Chapter 6 Enlightened despotism; Chapter 7 Power relationships in Russia; Chapter 8 Russia as a European great power; Chapter 9 Epilogue: power transferred and transformed;

About the Author

Simon Disxon is Professor Modern History at the University of Leeds in 1999. He is the author of "The Moderisation of Russia, 1876-1825 "(1999).

Reviews

'a concise and closely argued study of a crucial period in the making of Russia'"BBC History" 'a splendid book, thoughtful, graceful, and insightful' "Russian Review" "'"a stimulating and lively study...contributes not only to our understanding of Catherine's Russia but puts the Russian experience firmly within the broader context of ancient regime' "History"

'a concise and closely argued study of a crucial period in the making of Russia'"BBC History" 'a splendid book, thoughtful, graceful, and insightful' "Russian Review" "'"a stimulating and lively study...contributes not only to our understanding of Catherine's Russia but puts the Russian experience firmly within the broader context of ancient regime' "History"