Motherland: A Philosophical History of Russia

This landmark book, by the acclaimed author of Nietzsche in Turin, offers a unique interpretation of Russian history and thought. Lesley Chamberlain, novelist, traveller and historian of ideas, has been pondering the enigma of Russia for over thirty years. She finds that during the last two centuries Russian intellectuals have asked two fundamental questions: 'what makes a good man?' and 'what is the right way to live?' In their attempts to answer these questions, Chamberlain shows how these thinkers neglected the role of the individual, prioritising instead the need to end injustice and autocracy. Motherland is an invaluable introduction to the key Russian thinkers and an eloquently narrated journey in the history of ideas from a highly individual writer.