Radford University Geography Professor Grigory Ioffe has published Russia and The Near Abroad, a textbook collection of essays penned by the Moscow native about Russia and 11 former Soviet republics. Russia and The Near Abroad is the 10th book, fifth in English, authored by the prolific writer, who says the text was written for higher education courses concentrating on Russian geography or courses regarding the country’s post-communist era. Part of the book’s title, “The Near Abroad,” refers to the former Soviet republics, which emerged as independent states after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The book includes a substantial essay about the Russian Federation, smaller essays examining former Soviet republics, sidebar stories highlighting prominent Russian personalities and world media articles “focusing on post-Soviet problems,” Ioffe said.

Ioffe has written and lectured extensively about the former Soviet republic. He has served as an RU professor since 1990 and holds degrees from Moscow State University.

Russia and The Near Abroad is published by McGraw-Hill as part of the publisher’s Global Studies series, which provides students with comprehensive background and current information shaping regional cultures and countries of the world today.