In this work, Rozhkov:

• Contrasts the economic and socio-political conditions of urban and rural populations.
• Explores the transformative impact the rise and development of capitalism had on Russian society.
• Analyzes the tension between agrarian and urban economies that produced serfdom.
• Engages with Marxist ideas, particularly economic development, the rise of classes and state power.

Town and Village in Russian History is the quintessential history text of fin-de-siecle Russia. Rozhkov's work represents the natural progression of Russia's rich historical tradition organically bridging the Kliuchevskian school of history, which crowned the nineteenth century, and the Marxist approaches to history which followed in the twentieth century.
Whether one approaches this significant study from a historical, economic, or political perspective, Rozhkov’s work is an invaluable resource that explains the major forces that have driven societal changes in Russia for over a millennium and unquestionably helps readers understand why revolutionary change became unavoidable by the beginning of the twentieth century.