The L.P. Cline Russian Art Bookstore

Check out these excellent Russian art books.

Welcome to the L.P. Cline Russian Art Bookstore, our Russian Art Book Review page. The selected books listed are a great resource library for Russian Culture and Art facts. We found ourselves continually saying "I didn't know that!" Map out plenty of time before you start reading. You will not be able to put down "Casino Moscow" until you have finished. We couldn't!

Have any GREAT Books on Russia and the Arts we've missed? Send us an email and we'll check it out and share it right here on our website. THANKS!

Unknown Socialist Realism from The Leningrad School
The album is a substantial collection of works by a large group of painters representing the Leningrad School of painting. This book is a first inclusive publication on the history of the Leningrad School, one of the brightest and significant phenomena in the Soviet art of 1930-1980 that strongly influenced its contents and development. The book outlines basic periods of the school's evolution from the period that preceded its formation in the early 1930s up to the early 1990s. Paintings reproduced in the publication belong to large Russian and private collections, some of the works are published for the first time. This allows for a renewed and more comprehensive assessment of the art heritage of individual painters and the epoch in general. The publication contains a historical outline, artists' biographies and photographs and an extensive reference section that helps to navigate the book materials and provides the reader with important historical guidelines. Texts are published in Russian and English. This book may be purchased through The L P Cline Gallery.

Russka by Edward Rutherfurd
My good friend, who bought copies of Casino Moscow for all her family and friends after reading my copy, has now done the same with this amazing book. It is an account of four families who are divided yet united in shaping the destiny of their land. The Houston Chronicle writes, "An example of how a skillful historical novelist can illumine the present by dramatically re-creating the past." I found this to be a book you can lose yourself in. Edward Rutherfurd was born in Salisbury, England and is best known for his novel "Sarum" which is based on the history of Salisbury and Stonehenge. This is a great gift for yourself or someone close. Buy Book at Amazon

Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes
A cultural history of Russia. Orlando figes is the author of Peasant Russia, Civil War and A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 1891–1024, which received the Wolfson Prize for history and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, among other distinctions. I could not put this book down. The research and factual content are unbelievable. Chapters "In Search of the Russian Soul", "Russia through The Soviet Lens" and the Peasant Marriage" you must read if you are one of those (like me) who skip around when it is over 500 pages. Buy Book at Amazon

The Kitchen Boy: A novel of the Last Tzar by Robert Alexander
Quote from the cover of this novel, "A fascinating and chilling story that explores the mysteries of the last days of Nicholas and Alexandra. This is historical fiction at its best, a tale based in fact but with all the atmosphere and surprise of an incredible novel." Two hundred plus pages of an incredible story. Take this with you on vacation. You won't regret it! Buy Book at Amazon

Masters of Fedoskino: The Teacher and His Students by John Woods
A beautifully illustrated book that contains an article on the history of Fedoskino Lacquer miniatures and the works of prominent craftsmen as well as more than 150 illustrations, including the best works from both Russian museums and private collections. An embodiment of the experience and talents of many generations, folk crafts are constantly developing and regenerating, thus remaining a viable modern art which gives joy and beauty to the people. Buy Book at Amazon

Casino Moscow by Matthew Brzezinski
A tale of greed and adventure on Capitalism's Wildest Frontier. This book was recommended to me by a young Russian man who came into the gallery. He said it was a wonderful book for the "man of the house". After reading the book (before I gave it to Lynn) I was telling everyone about it. One of our customers after reading the book has ordered one for each of her children scattered around the country. They in turn have ordered for friends. It is contagious. Plan for enough time to read straight through. You will not be able to put it down. You will never read anything more exciting. Buy Book at Amazon

Ivan's War by Catherine Merridale
Life and death in the Red Army, 1939-1945. Quote from the cover, "A powerful, groundbreaking narrative of the ordinary Russian soldier's experience of the worst war in history". This book was given to Lynn and myself from a wonderful family who has a beautiful collection of Russian paintings and who became interested in Russian Art from their interest in World War II. So much of our art comes from the area that was so devastated by the war. We will always be indebted to this family for introducing this book to us. The same friend who bought all the Casino Moscow books has also bought "Ivan's War" for the same family members. This is a very emotional read. Don't let that keep you from reading it. You will see all people in a different light. Thank you David and family. Buy Book at Amazon

The Icon and the Axe: An Interpretive History of Russian Culture by James Billington
Quote: This is an illustrated interpretive history of modern Russian thought and culture. It is the product of one man's scholarship, reflection, and special interest. There is no illusion – and I hope no pretense – of offering an encyclopedic inventory of the Russian heritage or any simple key to understanding it. This is a selective account which seeks to provide new information and interpretation and not merely to codify an already established consensus: to open up rather than to "cover" this vast subject. 786 pages of history and information, a great book for any library. This book recommended to us by Lisa Hayden Espenschade, Writer, Editor and Russian Translator and Teacher. Buy Book at Amazon

The Oligarchs: Wealth and Power in the New Russia by David E. Hoffman
Quote: "What makes this account both devastating and entertaining is the way Hoffman has pieced it together... He has read far and wide, and operated like a probing private eye." New York Times Book Review. It is hard to distinguish between the good that was accomplished for the Russian economy and the bad from self serving men. Listed in 100 best books of the year. Buy Book at Amazon

A Dictionary of Twentieth Century Russian and Soviet Painters – 1900-1980's by Matthew Cullerne Bown
Quote from the cover, "The Dictionary is the first work of reference in any language to provide a comprehensive guide to the huge range of painters who worked in the Russia Empire and its successor, the Soviet Union, from 1900 until the last decade of the Soviet Period. Buy Book at Amazon

Moscow 2001, Painting Exhibition Catalog
State Tretyakov Gallery, Efrem Zverkov, Alexander Mitchry, Ivan Sorokin. Beautiful catalog showing a style of art some might not associate with Russian Art. A very southwestern look. You will enjoy the catalog very much. Available through our gallery at $35.00.