St. Petersburg - A Cultural History (Electronic book text)

Built in 1703 by Peter the Great as Russia's gateway to the West, the city of St. Petersburg became the center of liberal opposition to the dominating power of the state, whether czarist or communist. Acclaimed Russian historian and emigre Volkov writes the definitive "cultural biography" of that famed city, sharply detailing the well-known figures of the arts whose works are now part of the permanent fabric of Western high culture.