Western imperial, and later Cold-War histories characterize Russian rule in Alaska as a time of unbridled exploitation and even enslavement of Native peoples. Black (U. of Alaska-Fairbanks) says in fact Russians never numbered more than 500, and were forbidden to settle permanently unless they married a Native man or women; and the military only arrived in the 1850s to guard against the British during the Crimean War. Her account is chronological. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)