- Geoffrey Hosking is one of the foremost historians of Russia and its people. The result of a lifetime"s knowledge, this monumental and authoritative work has been acclaimed as the definitive single-volume history of Russia, tracing its story from the settlement of Kiev through to the present day. This second edition is updated throughout, with a new chapter on the recent role of Putin and Medvedev, and their impact on Russia"s economy, politics and its citizens.