The Era of Catherine the Great. The View of a Hungarian Historian

V. Molnár L. Fények és árnyak II. Katalin államában. – Keszthely: Balaton Akadémia Kiadó, 2022. – 69 o.

Abstract

The article offers a review of the book ‘Lights and Shades in the State of Catherine II’ by László V. Molnár, which was published in Hungarian by Balatoni Akadémia Kiadó in Keszthely. The reputable Hungarian historian known for his works on 18th century Russia, showcases in this book the outcome of his research and evaluates Catherine’s reign in a broader international context, in an unbiased manner, as a Golden Age in Russian History, whose achievements and impact in geopolitics, economy, and culture, are still felt in today’s Russia. The monograph is made up of 3 chapters. The author first scrutinises the experiment of Catherine the Great in legal reforms, documented in Nakaz and the records of the work of the Legislative Commission, by showing its benefits and causes of failure. Chapter 2 draws up the historical figure and military success of De Ribas, a foreign subject welcomed in Russia, who made a fine career with the naval fleet. Admiral Ushakov is featured in chapter 3, whose course of life and great professional merits give a deep insight into bright standards of social mobility, successful military education and state administration of the time.

Received: 02.09.2024.

Citation
Józsa Gy. Z. The Era of Catherine the Great. The View of a Hungarian Historian // Slavic Almanac. 2024. No 3–4. P. 473–481 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073-5731.2024.3-4.24