
Rebels in the Name of the Tsar
Daniel Field(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 1. August 2025
Book
Hardback
242 pages
978-1-041-06399-5 (ISBN)
Description
In Rebels in the Name of the Tsar (originally published in 1989), Daniel Field explores one of the most puzzling phenomena of late imperial Russia: the devotion of the common people to the person of the Tsar. His comprehensive and engaging study addresses the question of "naive monarchism" from the various standpoints of the government, the radicals, and the peasants themselves.
In the introductory chapter, Field reviews the "myth of the tsar" and how it has changed over time. He then moves on to detailed case studies of two important peasant uprisings: Bezdna (1861) and Chigirin (1877). Through analysis of well-chosen documents (translated for the first time) and intelligent, balanced commentary, Field offers the most complete interpretation yet of these important events. In the final chapter, he reexamines our preconceptions about peasants and draws innovative conclusions about the nature of their lives and thoughts. Rebels in the Name of the Tsar is essential reading for students and teachers of Russian history and peasant sociology, and for the interested layperson.
In the introductory chapter, Field reviews the "myth of the tsar" and how it has changed over time. He then moves on to detailed case studies of two important peasant uprisings: Bezdna (1861) and Chigirin (1877). Through analysis of well-chosen documents (translated for the first time) and intelligent, balanced commentary, Field offers the most complete interpretation yet of these important events. In the final chapter, he reexamines our preconceptions about peasants and draws innovative conclusions about the nature of their lives and thoughts. Rebels in the Name of the Tsar is essential reading for students and teachers of Russian history and peasant sociology, and for the interested layperson.
Reviews / Votes
Reviews of the first publication:'Rebels in the Name of the Tsar us a fine piece of historical enquiry: subtle in conception, painstakingly executed, elegantly written...Field's book is an intellectual treat.'
- Abbot Gleason, Brown University
'Teachers of Russian history can be grateful to Professor Field for writing this book ...'
- Edward C. Thaden Edward C. Thaden, Slavic Review
'[this book] ...deserves wide circulation among students of peasant behavior.'
- Geoffrey Hosking, Times Literary Supplement
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
General, Postgraduate, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
610 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-06399-5 (9781041063995)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions


Person
Daniel Field (1938-2006) was Emeritus Professor of history at Syracuse University, USA. He was the author of two extremely important books and a number of major articles on Russian peasants.
Content
Foreword by Ben A. Eklof Preface 1. The Myth of the Tsar 2. Bezdna 3. The Chigirin Affair 4. The Myth of the Peasant