Thinking Theoretically about Soviet Nationalities: History and Comparison in the Study of the USSR

Quite sadly, this classic edited volume has not received the praise it richly deserves. Alexander Motyl has laced together a galaxy of luminaries in the nationalities field to piece together myriad theoretical approaches to studying nationalities in the former Soviet empire. How wonderful it is to read both Soviet scholars such as John Armstrong and Motyl himself, as well as such noted figures as Ernest Gellner and Anthony D. Smith ruminate on the complexities and contradictions inherent to Soviet nationalities policy. This is a text that unlike most books in the late to post-Soviet period has powerfully stood the test of time. It is a justifiably important work.