N.N. Strakhov: pro et contra book review: S.M. Klimova (ed.). N.N. Strakhov: pro et contra: anthology. St. Petersburg: Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy Publ., 2021. 852 p

The legacy of Nikolai Nikolaevich Strakhov (1828-1896), a remarkable Russian publicist, translator, editor and employee of literary journals, has been extremely little studied. Unfortunately, there is still no collection of Strakhov’s works, which, of course, prevents a correct and objective assessment of his work. There are almost no studies devoted to his life and work, which is very disappointing, given his exceptional role in the creative activity of the luminaries of Russian literature. The critic’s eternal stay “in the shadow” of great people (mainly L.N. Tolstoy and F.M. Dostoevsky) did not contribute to his study. This talented and original person is undeservedly forgotten, while his works deserve the closest attention. His indisputable merits to Russian philosophy and culture are obvious. Strakhov was one of the first to appreciate the enormous literary significance of Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel “War and Peace”. He became one of the first biographers of Dostoevsky. Anthology “N.N. Strakhov: pro et contra” (St. Petersburg: Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy Publ., 2021) tries to partially fill this annoying gap. This is its value and relevance. The book contains a wealth of factual material related to Strakhov’s philosophical and journalistic legacy, provides critical assessments, among which there are rare and hard-to-reach. The book contains a wealth of factual material related to Strakhov’s philosophical and journalistic heritage, provides critical assessments, among which there are rare and hard-to-reach ones. It will be interesting not only to specialists in the field of Russian philology, literary studies, history, but also to the widest range of readers. The anthology was published as part of the Russian Way project.