The history of Russia is no less exciting, important and interesting than the history of the world. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin

Why do we study the history of Russia? Who among us in childhood did not ask this question. Finding no answer, we continued to study history. Someone taught her with pleasure, someone - under duress, someone did not teach at all. But there are dates and events that everyone should know about. For example: the October Revolution of 1917 or the Patriotic War of 1812…

Knowing the history of the country in which you were born or live is vital. And it is precisely this subject (history), along with the native language and literature, that should be given as many hours as possible in school education.

sad fact - our children today decide and choose for themselves - what books to read, and often their choice falls on well-promoted brands - literature, which is based on the fruits of Western fantasy - fictional hobbits, Harry Potter and others ...

harsh truth - books and textbooks about the history of Russia are not so promoted, and the circulation is not so huge. Their covers are modest and advertising budgets tend to be non-existent. Publishers have taken the path of maximum benefit from those who still read at least something. And so it turns out from year to year that we read what is inspired by fashion. Reading is fashionable today. This is not a necessity, but a tribute to fashion. The trend of reading in order to learn something new is a forgotten phenomenon.

There is an alternative in this matter - you don’t like the school curriculum and history textbooks, read fiction, historical novels. Truly cool, rich and not boring historical novels, more based on facts and reliable sources, are not so many today. But they are.

I will single out 10, in my opinion, the most interesting historical novels about Russia. It would be interesting to hear your lists of historical books - leave comments. So:

1. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin

• It is difficult to call it a novel, but I simply could not include it in this list. Many believe that it will be very difficult for a “newcomer” to read Karamzin, but still ...

“History of the Russian State” is a multi-volume work by N. M. Karamzin, describing Russian history from ancient times to the reign of Ivan the Terrible and the Time of Troubles. The work of N. M. Karamzin was not the first description of the history of Russia, but it was this work, thanks to the high literary merit and scientific scrupulousness of the author, that opened the history of Russia to a wide educated public and most contributed to the formation of national self-consciousness.

Karamzin wrote his "History" until the end of his life, but did not have time to finish it. The text of the manuscript of volume 12 ends at the chapter "Interregnum 1611-1612", although the author intended to bring the presentation to the beginning of the reign of the Romanov dynasty.

Karamzin in 1804 retired from society to the Ostafyevo estate, where he devoted himself entirely to writing a work that was supposed to open national history to Russian society ...

• His undertaking was supported by Emperor Alexander I himself, who, by decree of October 31, 1803, granted him the official title of Russian historiographer.

2. Alexey Nikolaevich Tolstoy

"Peter I"

"Peter I" is an unfinished historical novel by A. N. Tolstoy, on which he worked from 1929 until his death. The first two books were published in 1934. Shortly before his death, in 1943, the author began work on the third book, but managed to bring the novel only to the events of 1704.

In this book, there is such a powerful impulse of pride in the country, such a strength of character, such a desire to move forward without succumbing to difficulties, without giving up in front of seemingly insurmountable forces, that you involuntarily imbue his spirit, pour into his mood so that it is impossible to break away.

• In Soviet times, "Peter I" was positioned as the standard of a historical novel.

In my opinion, Tolstoy did not lay claim to the laurels of a chronicler historian. The novel is magnificent, the correspondence of its historical reality is not a paramount issue. Atmospheric, insanely interesting and addictive. What else do you need for a good book?

3. Valentin Savvich Pikul

"Favorite"

"Favorite" is a historical novel by Valentin Pikul. It sets out a chronicle of the times of Catherine II. The novel consists of two volumes: the first volume is "His Empress", the second is "His Taurida".

The novel reflects the most important events in the national history of the second half of the 18th century. In the center of the story is the image of the favorite of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna, commander Grigory Potemkin. Many pages of the novel are also devoted to other major historical figures of that time.

• The beginning of work on the first volume of the novel dates back to August 1976, the first volume was completed in November 1979. The second volume was written in just one month - in January 1982.

Palace intrigues, the decline of morals at the Russian court, great military victories over Turkey and Sweden, diplomatic victories over almost all of Europe ... the uprising led by Emelyan Pugachev, the founding of new cities in the south (in particular Sevastopol and Odessa) - an exciting and rich plot of this historical novel. Highly recommend.

4. Alexandre Dumas

The fencing teacher Grezier gives Alexandre Dumas his notes made during his trip to Russia. They tell how he went to St. Petersburg and began teaching fencing lessons. All his students are future Decembrists. One of them is Count Annenkov, the husband of an old acquaintance of Grezier, Louise. Soon a rebellion rises, but is immediately suppressed by Nicholas I. All the Decembrists are exiled to Siberia, among them Count Annenkov. Desperate Louise decides to follow her husband and share the hardships of hard labor with him. Grezier agrees to help her.

• In Russia, the publication of the novel was banned by Nicholas I in connection with the description of the Decembrist uprising in it.

In his memoirs, Dumas recalled what Princess Trubetskaya, a friend of the Empress, told him:

Nicholas entered the room when I was reading a book to the Empress. I quickly hid the book. The Emperor approached and asked the Empress:

- Did you read?

- Yes, my lord.

- Do you want me to tell you what you read?

The Empress was silent.

- You read the novel by Dumas "Fencing Teacher".

How do you know this, sir?

- Well! This is not hard to guess. This is the last novel I banned.

The tsarist censorship followed Dumas' novels with particular attention and forbade their publication in Russia, but despite this, the novel was distributed in Russia. The novel was first published in Russia in Russian in 1925.

Imperial Petersburg through the eyes of foreigners ... is a very worthy historical work, especially from such a master storyteller as Dumas. I really liked the novel, it is easy to read - I recommend it.

5. Semenov Vladimir

This book is written by a man of unique destiny. Captain of the second rank Vladimir Ivanovich Semyonov was the only officer of the Russian Imperial Fleet who, during the years of the Russo-Japanese War, had a chance to serve in both the First and Second Pacific squadrons and participate in both major naval battles - in the Yellow Sea and at Tsushima.

In the tragic battle of Tsushima, while on the flagship of the Russian squadron, Semyonov received five wounds and, after returning from Japanese captivity, did not live long, but managed to supplement his diaries, which he kept during the hostilities, and publish them in three books: "Payback", "Fight under Tsushima”, “The price of blood”.

Even during the life of the author, these books were translated into nine languages, they were quoted by the triumphant Tsushima himself - Admiral Togo. And at home, Semyonov’s memoirs caused a loud scandal - Vladimir Ivanovich was the first to dare to write that the battleship Petropavlovsk, on which Admiral Makarov died, was blown up not by a Japanese, but by a Russian mine, and contrary to public opinion, he highly appreciated the activities of Admiral Rozhestvensky.

After the early death of V. I. Semenov (he died at the age of 43), his books were undeservedly forgotten and are now known only to specialists. This novel is one of the best memoirs about the Russo-Japanese War.

6. Vasily Grigorievich Yan

"Genghis Khan"

“In order to become strong, one must surround oneself with mystery… boldly follow the path of great daring… make no mistakes… and mercilessly destroy one’s enemies!” - so said Batu and so he acted, the great leader of the Mongolian steppes.

His warriors knew no mercy, and the world choked with blood. But the iron order that the Mongols brought was stronger than horror. For many centuries he fettered the life of the conquered countries. Until then, until Russia gathered strength ...

The novel by Vasily Yan "Batu" not only gives a broad idea of ​​the historical events of the distant past, but also captures with a fascinating story about the fate of different people, including princes, khans, and simple nomads, and Russian warriors.

The cycle "Invasion of the Mongols" by Vasily Yan for me is the standard of historical epic. Well, Genghis Khan is a brilliant start to the trilogy.

The personality of Genghis Khan is incredibly attractive to the historical novelist. One of the many Mongol princelings, who was a slave in his youth, created a powerful empire - from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea ... But can one be considered a great man who ruined hundreds of thousands of lives? We must immediately make a reservation that the author is of little interest in the formation of the Mongolian statehood. Yes, and Genghis Khan himself appears in the novel somewhere after the 100th page. And he is, of course, a man, and not a Dark Lord from fantasy. He loves his young wife Kulan-Khatun in his own way. Like most people, he is afraid of senile infirmity and death. If he can be called a great man, then he, of course, is a genius of evil and a destroyer.

But by and large, Vasily Yan wrote a novel not about a great tyrant, but about time, about people who had to live in an era of great upheavals. This book contains many colorful characters, grandiose battle scenes, an amazing atmosphere of the East, reminiscent of the fairy tales of 1001 Nights. There are enough bloody and even naturalistic episodes here, but there is also hope, age-old wisdom that allows you to believe in the best. Empires are built on blood, but sooner or later they fall apart. And even the one who considers himself the ruler of the world will not be able to escape from death...

7. Ivan Ivanovich Lazhechnikov

"Ice House"

I.I. Lazhechnikov (1792–1869) is one of our best historical novelists. A.S. Pushkin said this about the novel "Ice House": "... poetry will always remain poetry, and many pages of your novel will live until the Russian language is forgotten."

The Ice House by I. I. Lazhechnikov is rightfully considered one of the best Russian historical novels. The novel was published in 1835 - the success was extraordinary. V. G. Belinsky called its author "the first Russian novelist."

Turning to the era of the reign of Anna Ioannovna - more precisely, to the events of the last year of her reign - Lazhechnikov was the first of the novelists who told his contemporaries about this time. In a compelling storytelling in the spirit of Walter Scott...

8. Yuri German

"Young Russia"

“Young Russia” is a novel by Y. German, which tells about the beginning of changes in the era of Peter the Great. The time described in the book is devoted to the struggle of a young power for access to the Baltic Sea. The novel was first published in 1952.

The action of the novel takes place in Arkhangelsk, Belozerye, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Moscow. The author describes historical events through the life of the main characters - Ivan Ryabov and Sylvester Ievlev, reveals the relationship between the state and the church, shows the nature of the era through detailed descriptions of the life and way of life of the Russian North and the capital.

A very historical and very relevant novel for all patriots of Russia.

9. Sergei Petrovich Borodin

"Dmitry Donskoy"

One of the best novels by Sergei Borodin.

"Dmitry Donskoy" is the first work from a series of historical novels on the history of medieval Moscow about the struggle of the Russian principalities under the leadership of the Moscow prince Dmitry Ivanovich against the yoke of the Tatar Golden Horde, the end of which was marked by the decisive battle on the Kulikovo field in 1380.

One of those historical books that I read as a child, anticipating game battles on relevant topics. Of course, now it is hardly possible to find out how it really was there, history is not an exact science, but, nevertheless, the aesthetic and artistic value of the book in question cannot be taken away. One of the distinguishing features of this work, stylized as Old Russian, is the language of narration and, in particular, the language of the dialogues of the characters. This ingenuous technique helps the author create the effect of a more complete and deeper immersion of the reader into the historical context of what is happening.

10. Konstantin Mikhailovich Simonov

"Alive and Dead"

The novel by K.M.Simonov "The Living and the Dead" is one of the most famous works about the Great Patriotic War.

The work is written in the genre of an epic novel, the storyline covers the time interval from June 1941 to July 1944. One of the main characters is General Fedor Fedorovich Serpilin (according to the novel, he lived in Moscow at Pirogovskaya st., 16, apt. 4).

I enjoyed reading this masterpiece. The book is easy to read and leaves a lasting impression. This is an undeniably brilliant work that teaches you to be honest, believe in yourself, and love your Motherland ...

My list of historical fiction is not that great. Nevertheless, I chose some of the brightest and most memorable works that I personally liked. History will always be the most interesting genre of fiction, and historical novels will always be the most interesting bookshelf in my library. I look forward to your lists in the comments. Love the history of your country, read the right books.

In the modern world, unfortunately, free time is very limited. They have to be handled with extreme vigilance. And of course, no one wants to spend it on the wrong book. The choice is huge, and eyes run wide in search of a suitable one. Consider, for those who love historical novels, a list of books that are worth reading in the first place.

Classic

First of all, let's talk about the list of books in the genre of historical novels in the context of classical literature.

1. Leo Tolstoy, "War and Peace" - a work from the school curriculum. But due to youthful interests, underestimated by schoolchildren.
2. William Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet" - the tragedy of the love of young hearts. A sensual story of the war between two noble families, in which children in love who found themselves on opposite sides of the barricades were drawn into.
3. The Count of Monte Cristo is a work that has led historical novels for nearly two centuries. The list of books in any source has this incredibly dynamic, plot and emotional creation.
4. Archibald Cronin, Brody's Castle is a novel about the life of a "hattermaker" who destroys his happiness and family with his own hands.
5. Honore de Balzac, "Gobsek", "Eugenie Grande", "Father Goriot" - books containing the life stories of three unfortunate people. Everyone grieves in their own way, everyone has their own tragedy. Survive all the trials of fate together with the heroes - this is what the author offers the reader.

About reviews in general

In this section, talking about reviews is not very appropriate, since the above novels are the world heritage of literature. But still, the book of Honore de Balzac stands out on the forums among others. It is interesting that the vast majority of readers, having become acquainted with the novel "Father Goriot", can no longer stop. And in the future, book after book, they sympathize and live in a real "Human Comedy" created for them by the author.

The list can easily be continued with other works of the above authors, but if you are not familiar with their work, then you should start your journey with these books.

About love

A separate niche is occupied by historical romance novels. The list of books on this subject is huge. Let's single out the best of them.

1. Christopher Gortner, "The Tudor Conspiracy" is a magnificent novel about Princess Elizabeth, love and conspiracies of the court, betrayal and loyalty.
2. Courtney Milan, "The Temptation of Love" is a novel about how a respected "sir" fell in love with a courtesan and was ready to do anything to be with her. The woman had her own plans for their union: she intended to destroy his life.
3. Margaret York, "Downton Manor: The Mistress" - the novel is a continuation of the beloved work of "Downton Manor: The Beginning". A story about how a marriage of convenience can turn into the most powerful love on Earth.
4. Mikhail Shchukin, "Black Snowstorm" - the novel is a continuation of the well-known work "Horse thief". About love and the complexities of the civil war.
5. Patricia Potter, Lightning is a novel by a young American writer who won the Best War Novel Award for it.

The winner among the books that received the most positive reviews is Christopher Gortner's The Tudor Conspiracy. Readers recognized the fresh approach to the well-known story and also appreciated the sensual love line.

About the adventures

Among the readers there are many who like not only to dive into the past with a book, but also to catch a swift plot by the tail. So, consider the list of books (adventure and historical novel).

The owner of the most original reviews is the novel by Erich Maria Remarque "Arc de Triomphe". A subtle psychological plot, a waterfall of emotions and a nervous fear for the hero received a response from many fans and post-war times.

Domestic

The work of Zakhar Prilepin is currently at the pinnacle of success. The book has won numerous awards. Literary critics and ordinary readers call the work the novel of the century.

About Motherland

We should also talk about books about our country in the past. So, the most famous historical novels about Russia (list of books):

1. "Ermak" - a book about the ataman Yermak.
2. Nikolai Kochin, "Prince Svyatoslav" - a novel about the prince of Kiev and his exploits. The defeat of the war with the Volga Bulgaria is only the very tip of the iceberg of the great victories of the ancient Russian ruler.
3. Leonid Grossman, "Velvet Dictator" - a work about the famous Russian statesman General M. T. Loris-Melikov. About life in autocratic Petersburg in the 80s of the XIX century.
4. Olga Forsh, Dressed in Stone is a novel about the tragic fate of revolutionary Mikhail Stepanovich Beideman, a prisoner of the Peter and Paul Fortress, imprisoned and forgotten for 20 years. Imprisoned by Alexander II without trial, according to a false manifesto, he was all alone among the stone walls.
5. Maurice Semashko, "Semiramide" - a book about more than thirty years of the reign of Catherine II. About ups and downs, about love and hate, about state secrets and palace intrigues.

Maurice Samashko's novel "Semiramide" received the most respectful reviews from both Russian historians and literary critics and ordinary readers. In an artistic vein and incredibly light style, the author conveyed the real story no worse than an experienced professor.

Eventually

Lovers of book art often wonder how to find a work that not only suits their interests, but can also arouse feelings. There is an answer to this question: a really good book will impress even the most rational reader. Looking through magazines or Internet pages, studying summaries and reviews of historical novels, adding new “wishlists” to the list of books, you must remember that no one but you knows what you expect from a book. Read books and be happy.

In this collection, we have collected historical books that everyone should read. Without a doubt, there are many more such books, but if you want to be able to maintain small talk or understand something important for yourself from the history of the world, then read these novels first of all.

Margaret Mitchell. gone With the Wind

For many years, Margaret Mitchell nurtured the idea of ​​her masterpiece. The main character so sincerely loved two men at once, but she never learned to understand either of them, and as a result she lost both. The events of the work unfold against the backdrop of a bloody civil war that has not subsided for a long period. Farther

An amazing historical novel written by Victor Hugo who brought incredible images to life with such simple yet powerful words. It was here that the writer raised many important topics, opposing good and evil, opening the eyes of readers to the fact that not everything in this life can be what it seems to a person at first glance. Farther

Nothing happens just like that, especially when it comes to such large-scale things as a revolution or the death of an empire. Responsibility for everything that happens in the state lies solely on the shoulders of the emperor, who can make reforms that are so necessary for the people. Or do everything to slow down the development of the country. Farther

This novel by Marquez simply cannot be retold in a few words, all because the reader needs to experience it for themselves. Events take place in the Buendia dynasty, where every generation does stupid things, gets into bad situations, takes part in revolutions or leads a lazy life and, of course, manages to sincerely love. Farther

Lev Tolstoy. War and Peace

Tolstoy's largest novel, which found a positive response among readers around the world. This book fell in love with them not because of the large volume or unusual structure. It simply did not have what the reader was fed up with - the usual love triangle and social conflict. Only global history and personal life are on the scales of fate. Farther

Lev Zhdanov. Tsar Ivan the Terrible

History is that aspect of life that every person should be familiar with in one way or another in order to realize what events took place long before his appearance in this world and understand what consequences they turned out to have for the state. Sometimes life develops in such a way that the ruler could become the greatest of all, but a series of intricate events turns him into a terrible tormentor. Farther

Gustave Flaubert. Madame Bovary

From time immemorial, life has been arranged in such a way that from time to time a person begins to be tormented by internal contradictions that run counter to the surrounding reality. It is precisely such a discrepancy in the inner spiritual world that can be traced on the example of the life of Emma Bovary, who sincerely dreamed of filling the inner emptiness, but was unable to withstand the rigidity of her contemporary world. Farther

Ken Follett. Pillars of the earth

Once upon a time in the history of England there was a long period during which internecine wars and the constant struggle for the throne became nothing more than commonplace. The author decided to show the life stories of royal families, simple artisans, counts and many other significant figures, whose destinies were intertwined into a single ball for half a century. Farther

Umberto Eco. rose name

Events develop at the very beginning of the 14th century, where the body of a monk was found in one of the monasteries. The series of deaths does not end there, there are only more murders every day. Wilhelm and his young companion Adson are entrusted with investigating a chain of obscure crimes, who are obliged to figure everything out before the situation worsens. Farther

Marina Fiorato. Venetian contract

The book is based on real events that took place in Venice back in 1576, when the Ottoman Empire suffered a crushing defeat during the naval battle of Lepanto. At night, the ship imperceptibly moored to the shores in Venice, from which a dying man descended. He will present the townspeople with an extremely unexpected gift in the form of a plague. Farther

Who would have imagined that the destinies of all these completely dissimilar people with different hobbies, wealth, social status would intertwine anywhere, but in the expanses of impenetrable Siberia, which will conquer them with its grandeur, beauty and mystery. Exciting adventures are waiting for them all soon, but there is more to come. Farther

Solomon Northup. 12 years of slavery. A true story of betrayal, kidnapping and fortitude

Solomon Northup lived and worked quietly in New York until one day he received a more tempting offer to start working in Washington. Then he could not even imagine that from a successful man he would soon become a slave in captivity, where you would not want to get even to your worst enemy. Farther

Catalina sincerely believed that she was destined to sit on the throne after she reached a certain age. However, the girl did not expect that becoming the Queen of England would be so difficult. Her path to the throne will be thorny, but she is not ready to give up easily in the face of difficulties, and that is why she will soon become the wife of Henry VIII. Farther

Henryk Sienkiewicz. Camo coming

Sienkiewicz has done hard work so that his novel can be presented to readers in a worthy form. However, the events in it unfold the most diverse. So, the young patrician Mark Vinicius is sincerely in love with the beautiful barbarian Lygia. In parallel with this, the reign of the ruthless, but at the same time brilliant emperor Nero unfolds. Farther

Mikhail Sholokhov. Quiet Don

For his novel, Mikhail Sholokhov was awarded the Nobel Prize, as for a large-scale and unusually talented work that made a significant contribution to the development of Russian literature. The events of the novel take place in Russia in the first half of the 20th century, at the time when the Revolution and the Civil War happened, which changed the ancient way of the Don Cossacks. Farther

Valentin Pikul. Favorite

The author shows the life of an entire era of Russia in the second half of the 18th century. The protagonist is Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tavrichesky, one of the brightest people of his time, a favorite of Catherine II. Hardly anyone would argue that this person went down in history as an unusually talented and intelligent person, despite the complex disposition and controversial nature. Farther

He was a nobody, a simple boy with no chance for a great future, but fate turned out to be favorable to him, because of which, in a short time, this village boy managed to become a London dandy. Now he has a lot of things that he could not even dream of, but the whole idyll is spoiled by the fact that from a young age the hero is in love with Estella, who is indifferent to him. Farther

The work describes the fate of three comrades from the front at once and how they intertwined at different periods of their lives. There is everything here - sincere love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal. Each of the characters had their own dreams, as well as many memories - good and bad, but so fascinating, thanks to which their lives became interesting in their own way. Farther

Many for many years were interested in the fate of the greatest ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, who, at the same time, was not just a talented and attractive woman, but also the wife of the Grand Duke. The woman wrote memoirs together with her husband, where she wished to reflect the most vivid and significant memories from her own life. Farther

It is difficult to say what exactly makes the commander truly a great person, which he enters into history. Some tend to argue that this is, first of all, the ability to quickly and accurately make a decision at a time when there is simply not enough time and information. That was exactly what he was - the greatest Russian commander Suvorov, who forever entered the history of Russia. Farther

That's all for us, but if you remember more historical books that everyone should read and you personally think that they deserve attention, share your opinion in the comments. Always Glade. 😉

Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Walter Scott, etc. - world-famous writers who successfully wrote historical novels. The list of books devoted to this topic is unlikely to be complete. Works of this genre, according to researchers, arose in the 19th century. Prior to this, authors who tried to create such novels could not achieve the necessary level of historical generalization. This was done by Walter Scott. It was his works that gave impetus to the emergence of what is today called "best historical novels".

Critics point out that one of the distinguishing features that clearly characterize books in the genre of historical novels is their accessibility. They are read with pleasure by both young people and representatives of the older generation. Touching, fascinating, entertaining historical books, the list of which is endless, do not age and do not lose their relevance. They will always help diversify the usual home evening. One effective way to beat boredom is to open historical novels. The list of books is endless, so readers will always have a choice.