"Primarily chronological, the book focuses on three main aspects of Ivan's power: the territorial expansion of the state; the mythology, rituals and symbols of monarchy; and the development of the autocratic system of rule."--BOOK JACKET.

Ivan's Inheritance -- The Young Ruler -- The minority of Ivan IV --Coronation, marriage and the fall of the Glinskiis -- The Conquest of Kazan' and Astrakhan' -- Reformers and Reforms --The reasons for reform --Adashev and Sil'vestr -- The reforms of the 1550s -- From Consensus to Conflict -- The 'boyar revolt' of 1553 -- The power of the Muscovite ruler-The beginning of the Livonian War and the dismissal of Adashev and Sil'vestr -- On the eve of the oprichnina terror -- The Introduction of the Oprichnina --The tsar's departure from Moscow -- The decree on the oprichnina -- 'A strange institution': problems of interpretation -- Repression and Resettlement -- The first victims -- Attempts to reach a compromise -- The rout of the zemshchina opposition -- The land resettlements -- The Culmination of the Terror -- The devastation of Novgorod -- The executions in Moscow -- The abolition of the oprichnina -- After the Oprichnina -- The 'grand princely rule' of Simeon Bekbulatovich -- The end of the Livonian War -- The last years of Ivan's reign -- The consequences of the oprichnina and post-oprichnina regimes.