"In Russia in Search of Itself, James H. Billington examines the efforts of a proud but troubled nation to find a post-Soviet identity. The agenda has not been controlled from the top down and center out as in Russia's past. Nor has it been set by any intellectual giant such as Sakharov or Solzhenitsyn." "The prospects for world peace in the twenty-first century depend in large measure on the way Russians decide to define themselves in the next few years. Drawing on his vast knowledge of Russian history, his frequent visits to Russia in the past decade, and his longstanding relationships with Russians from many different regions and segments of society, Billington provides an authoritative exploration of one of the world's most pressing issues."--Jacket.