Sometimes, it is very difficult to reconcile the history of a country with their persona, and nowhere is this more difficult than with Russia. Granted, it’s because he tends to be mad as a hatter, but there’s a lot going on beneath that fine stepford smile of his. His madness began long before any revolution, back when he was a young, new country. Even then, he was bigger than most others ever would be, and he was routinely invaded by the Tartars, who demanded tribute. Ivan the III, or Ivan the... read more