Christopher J. Ward

Christopher J. Ward is a Professor of History at Clayton State University in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in Russian and world history. He earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is best known for updating and expanding Russia: A Brief History, originally authored by John M. Thompson.

His research focuses on Russian historical development from Kievan Rus to the present, with particular expertise in Soviet history as demonstrated by his book Brezhnev's Folly: The Building of BAM and Late Soviet Socialism. Ward's updated 9th edition of Russia: A Brief History (2022) incorporates significant developments in Russian history since 2010, updated demographic data, and enhanced coverage of cultural aspects from recent decades.

Ward's scholarly work demonstrates a commitment to making Russian history accessible to both academic and general audiences. His publications reflect deep engagement with historiographical debates while maintaining clarity for students encountering Russian history for the first time.