Synopses & Reviews
In this extraordinary and definitive study of the Russian economy from 1600-1725, Richard Hellie offers a glimpse of the material life of the people of Muscovy during that tumultuous periodand#8212;how they lived, what they ate, how they were taxed, what their wages allowed them to enjoy. Making these determinations required more than a decade of work and analysis of over 107,000 records. The resulting book devotes chapters to each category of consumer goods, in which transactions involving the product are summarized. Hellie further provides notes and commentary on the transactions to locate their place in the full Russian economy.
Impressive in scope and data analysis, Economy and Material Culture of Russia, 1600-1725 will be an invaluable resource and reference work for all readers interested in economic history and the history of material culture. Since there is no comparable one-volume work for any other society at any other time in history, Hellie's is a truly unique and profound achievement.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Russia 1600-1725: Background
2. Agricultural Products
3. Domesticated Animals and Fowl
4. Wild Animals and Furs
5. Fish and Fish/Sea Products
6. Processed and Imported Food, Beverages, and Tobacco
7. Forest Products
8. Construction Materials
9. Metals and Minerals, Chemicals, Gunpowder, and Currencies
10. Paints, Ink, Dyes, and Oils
11. Gems, Perfumes, Spices, Drugs, and Jewelry
12. Manufactured Goods, 1: Metal and Glass Objects
13. Manufactured Goods, 2: Wood, Including Furniture
14. Manufactured Goods, 3: Books, Candles, Paper, Rope, Rugs, Tapestries, and Tents
15. Hides, Leather, Horn, Feathers, and Bristles
16. Textiles
17. Notions and Linens
18. Clothing and Accessories
19. Real Estate
20. Wages
21. Vehicles and Transportation Costs
22. Services and Income Transfers
23. Taxes, Fees, Fines
24. Great Wealth in Muscovy: The Cases of M. I. Tatishchev (1608) and V. V. Golitsyn (1689-90)
25. Conclusion
Appendix 1. Units
Appendix 2. The Sources and the Data
Bibliography
Index