This companion comprises 28 essays by international scholars offering an analytical overview of the development of Russian history from the earliest Slavs through to the present day. * Includes essays by both prominent and emerging scholars from Russia, Great Britain, the US, and Canada * Analyzes the entire sweep of Russian history from debates over how to identify the earliest Slavs, through the Yeltsin Era, and future prospects for post-Soviet Russia * Offers an extensive review of the medieval period, religion, culture, and the experiences of ordinary people * Offers a balanced review of both traditional and cutting-edge topics, demonstrating the range and dynamism of the field