Iurii Trifonov (1925-81) has recently become well-known in the West as a writer of Soviet urban life. This study concentrates on his exploration of major events in Russian history and their implications and consequences for his time. David Gillespie traces this interest through all of Trifonov"s writings, from his earliest, Stalin prize-winning period to the self-consciously modernist later works. Through historical analogies and allusions, Trifonov developed a language with which to combat the repressive censorship of his time. He upheld the concepts of truth and justice when glasnost was unknown, and where "historical expedience" was all-determining.