Lynne Hartnett

Lynne Hartnett, a Professor of History at Villanova University and author of Understanding Russia: A Cultural History, dives deep into the radical reign of Tsar Peter the Great. Discover how his infamous beard-shaving incident symbolized a shift towards modernization and geopolitical power for Russia. The podcast explores Peter's tumultuous journey, the clash between tradition and progress, and the foundations of Russia's leadership style that echo through its history. Hartnett provides a captivating look at how one man's vision transformed an isolated nation into a global player.