Review by Choice Review
A detailed history of the influence of Greco-Roman culture on post-Petrine Russia has yet to be chronicled, and the author (ancient history, University of Groningen) has taken on that job. Two jobs in fact: he traces not only the fortunes of classical scholarship in Russia from Timkovsky to the Rostovtsevs, but also the influence of the classical heritage on such great creative writers as Pushkin, Gogol, and Goncharov. Wes's erudition and wide scope notwithstanding, the overall result is uneven. English is not his native language, nor is tight organization his forte. Digressions abound. There are also lacunae: if Batiushkov receives his due, why does Delvig get scant attention and Tiutchev none at all? Despite these deficiencies, this is a rich storehouse of information. If somewhat disjointedly, the reader learns much about such familiar "names" as Gnedich, Uvarov, Nikitenko, and Granovsky, as well as lesser known scholars such as Graefe, Kutorga, Pirogov, and Pecherin. In sum this is basically a reference work for specialists; but as such (the index is excellent), it has its uses. R. Gregg; Vassar College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
