This book takes an entirely new approach to the evolution of cities and
of societies in premodern periods. Refining the theory advanced in his
earlier study of China and Japan, Gilbert Rozman examines the
development of Russia over several centuries with emphasis on the period
immediately preceding the Industrial Revolution. He makes possible
comparison of urbanization in five countries (including England and
France as well as Russia) and develops a systematic framework for
analyzing cities of varying size.
Treatment of Russia includes a history of urban development prior to
1750, an examination of late eighteenth-century social structure as it
related to cities, and a study of regional variations in urbanization.
The author presents a wealth of information until now unavailable in
English. Since this information is provided in a format similar to that
used in the earlier book, data on Russia can readily be placed in broad
perspective. Comparisons with the other countries show that Russia's
development was less slow than has been supposed.
Separate sections on England and France supply estimates of the number
of settlements at each level of their urban hierarchies.
Originally published in 1976.
The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand
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the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions
preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting
them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the
Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich
scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by
Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
