"Thought provoking, at times arguably paradigm shifting"Slavic and Eastern European Journal"Internal Colonization might be said to inject postcolonialtheory into Russian studies. This, however, would be to understatethe case. Russia, in Etkind's account, is no mere latecomer to thepostcolonial feast: in so many ways, it got there first. Etkind hasconfirmed what Russianists have suspected for a while without quitebeing able to prove the point: that Russia's peculiarly vocalsubalterns have at least as much to bring to 'Western' culturaltheory as they stand to gain from it."Times Literary Supplement"The cumulative power of Etkind's argument constitutes animpressive scholarly achievement, offering a coherent yet richlydetailed account of Russia's centuries-long experience of internalcolonisation."TimesHigher Education
"A coherent and cogent, as well as an original and wittyinvestigation … the text itself teems with intriguingTristram Shandean excursions."Journal of European Studies"Etkind highlights what is at the core of the Russian Empirebuilding process. Beyond objective specific facts [Etkind] goesdeep into Russian history and culture to emphasize and explain theheuristic idea 'how to colonize oneself'."TheGlobal Journal
"A thought-provoking work of scholarship that will inspire bothcontroversies and useful new approaches to Russian history andculture: to paraphrase Levi-Strauss, it is good to thinkwith."The Russian Review"A gripping read. Etkind combines an energetic pace with amultitude of sources … Etkind has succeeded in presenting anentirely readable text that will appeal to anyone interested inRussian imperial history, Russian literature, or the literature andculture of a colonial and postcolonial society."Melbourne Historical Journal
"A fresh and entertaining work that is beautifully written… Etkind persuasively demonstrates that post-Sovietpostcolonial studies should shift their focus from chasing theunresolvable historical justice to pursuing original, creative andchallenging research to support competennt discussion of thecontroversial issues."Ideology and Politics
"Not only useful but also very enjoyable...It is safe toconsider this as one of the best books of 2011 in its category andit will definitely have an impact on Russian studies for many yearsto come."Journal of Eurasian Studies
"An exhaustingly original book, beautifully written and craftedso as to be eminently quotable. It will stand for decades to comeas the central volume in the larger debates on empire."Nancy Condee, University of Pittsburgh
"An erudite and incisive interpretation of Russian history andculture. Indeed, one of the great virtues of this book is itssweeping range, covering several centuries of history and culture.It is well-known that Russia was a great and expansive empire.Etkind provides a striking new lens for seeing Russian culture andhistory, one that stresses the enduring process of internalcolonization. Beyond scholars of Russia, this book should appeal tothose interested in questions of colonialism and post-colonialismand in issues of comparative empire."Peter Holquist, University of Pennsylvania
"Combining literary and historiographical evidence, AlexanderEtkind elucidates the processes of 'self-' or 'internalcolonization' the Russian imperial state carried out in itsheartland in tandem with colonizing practices deployed in itsfarthest corners. With wit and erudition, Internal Colonizationprovides an original and fascinating account of Orientalism'sgenealogies, the complexity of its global enactments, and thefantasia of its imperial, 'self-colonizing' logic on thenewly-illuminated stage of the Second World."Nancy Ruttenburg, Stanford Center for the Study of theNovel
