At the Vanishing Point in History - by Marina F Bykova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Putin's war has meant the return of the Russian intelligentsia-a concept that was all but dead in the first decade of the 2000s. At the Vanishing Point in History brings together distinguished humanities scholars and prominent novelists to examine the roots and causes of the unfolding catastrophe in Eastern Europe.

Well-versed in Russian culture, history, and philosophical thought, this distinguished group of Russian émigrés seek to explore the past to understand the present. They are guided by a belief that it is incumbent upon them, as experts of the internal working of Russian society who have fled Russia, to carefully assess the current crisis, to reflect on its causes, and set the goals for future research in the humanities. Responding to this challenge they bring together a collection of analytic essays that provide needed background and context for the events unfolding in Europe.

Today's Russia is perhaps the most representative example of tyranny's threat to global civilization. In its vicious assault on Ukraine, the hostile Putin regime holds not merely Russians but all of humanity hostage. The atrocities being done in Ukraine in the name of the "Russian world" make it urgent to thoroughly examine Russia's present political pursuit in order to understand its real roots and the way out of it.

Review Quotes

'During Russia's many periods of revolution, (civil) war, and repression, critical intellectuals have produced famous volumes like Vekhi (1909), Iz glubiny (1918), and Iz-pod glyb (1974). Regrettably, we face such a dark period again, but, fortunately, there are critical Russian intellectuals who have revived, with this volume, their strong tradition.'
Evert van der Zweerde, Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Radboud University

This powerful volume brings together essays by prominent intellectual historians, philosophers, and literary scholars who ponder the vicissitudes of Russian history, trying to make sense of - and determined to take a stance against - the war in Ukraine. A voice from the depths that calls for forensic analysis and unambiguous civic commitment.
Galin Tihanov, George Steiner Professor of Comparative Literature, Queen Mary University of London

About the Author

Marina F. Bykova is Full Professor of Philosophy at North Carolina State University, USA, and the Editor-in-chief of Studies in East European Thought and Russian Studies in Philosophy.