The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 17 : Switzerland (concluded), Russia and Poland

This massive reference brings together the writings of over two thousand historians to trace the development of three intertwined regions—Switzerland, Russia and Poland—through the lens of political, social and cultural change. Edited by a distinguished board of scholars from institutions across Europe and America, the volume blends classic narratives with fresh archival insights, offering listeners a panoramic view that feels both authoritative and accessible. The first part walks through the turbulent eighteenth‑century Swiss landscape, from the Hentzi conspiracy and the French Revolutionary shock to the Sonderbund War and the reforms that shaped modern federalism.

In the Russian section, the narrative begins with the early Slavic settlements, the rise of the Kievan princes, and the pivotal conversion to Christianity under Vladimir. It then follows the fragmentation of principalities, the dramatic Tatar invasion, and the emergence of Moscow as a power center, highlighting key figures such as Alexander Nevsky and the legendary Battle of Kulikovo. Listeners will gain a sense of how geography, religion and external pressures forged a distinct Russian identity long before the imperial era.