The First Cold War

‘An outstanding account of Britain’s relations with Russia at a time when ambassadors mattered and Britain was the only world power.’

‘Emerson covers her ground with exemplary thoroughness, mining a variety of British and Russian archival materials… . She is excellent on how Russian spies broke British diplomatic codes… [and] has a sharp eye for the unusual or entertaining detail.’

‘[An] excellent book… Emerson tells the story of [the] early Russo-British tensions in exquisite detail and with admirable sensitivity, insight and fairness. This is a large book, filled with an enormous cast of characters and all manner of subterfuge, spying, diplomatic brinkmanship and war. Emerson makes for a first-rate guide through this confusing terrain.’

‘A thorough and often diverting diplomatic history of Anglo-Russian relations from the 16th to the early 20th century.’

’[A] fascinating, fastidiously detailed work.’

’[An] original and always readable study of British and Russian relations in the 19th century.’

‘A magisterial survey of Eurasian diplomacy and grand strategy in a ceaselessly shifting geopolitical panorama, the ramifications of which are still reverberating today.’

‘Both comprehensively referenced and highly readable.’

‘Emerson’s general mastery of the material is impressive, allowing her to write with a lucidity that means her book will appeal both to academic specialists and a wider public audience.’

‘A valuable tool in decoding the continuity of Russian strategic culture … essential reading for military professionals seeking to grasp the full arc of US-Russia relations.’

‘Barbara Emerson is a distinguished historian. Her richly researched account exposes in great detail the never-ending tensions between the two powers. This is essential reading.’

‘A masterful account of the suspicion, distrust and rivalries between Britain and Russia, from Peter the Great to the Anglo-Russian Convention. Impeccably researched and beautifully written, this is history at its best.’

‘Deftly navigates the depths and shallows of Anglo-Russian relations and delivers both a lucid exposition of events and a vivid impression of the remarkable men and women who participated.’

‘This is more than just a diplomatic history. Use of Russian and English archives, memoirs, travellers’ accounts and private correspondence shows the influence of royalty, diplomats and society on policies, and makes for a fascinating read.’

‘A romp through the long period from 16th-century British traders’ and diplomats’ first “discovery” of Muscovy as a state meriting their attention to the 1907 Anglo-Russian Convention.’

Barbara Emerson is Vice-Chair of the Great Britain-Russia Society, having been a faculty associate at Harvard University and a visiting fellow at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, where she received her MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. The author of three historical biographies, she formerly lived in Moscow.