Warfare State and Society on the Black Sea Steppe 1500-1700

<p>This crucial period in Russia's history has up until now been neglected by historians but here Brian L. Davies' study provides an essential insight into the emergence of Russia as a great power.</p><p>For nearly three centuries Russia vied with the Crimean Khanate the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire for mastery of the Ukraine and the fertile steppes above the Black Sea a region of great strategic and economic importance – arguably the pivot of Eurasia at the time.</p><p>The long campaign took a great toll upon Russia's population economy and institutions and repeatedly frustrated or redefined Russian military and diplomatic projects in the West. </p><p>The struggle was every bit as important as Russia's wars in northern and central Europe for driving the Russian state-building process forcing military reform and shaping Russia's visions of Empire. </p>