History

Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union

Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union

  • Downloads：2739
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-08-01 09:51:36
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Vladislav M. Zubok
  • ISBN：0300268173
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
  • Download

Summary

A major study of the collapse of the Soviet Union—showing how Gorbachev’s misguided reforms led to its demise

“A deeply informed account of how the Soviet Union fell apart。”—Rodric Braithwaite， Financial Times

“[A] masterly analysis。”—Joshua Rubenstein， Wall Street Journal

In 1945 the Soviet Union controlled half of Europe and was a founding member of the United Nations。 By 1991， it had an army four-million strong with five-thousand nuclear-tipped missiles and was the second biggest producer of oil in the world。 But soon afterward the union sank into an economic crisis and was torn apart by nationalist separatism。 Its collapse was one of the seismic shifts of the twentieth century。

Thirty years on， Vladislav Zubok offers a major reinterpretation of the final years of the USSR， refuting the notion that the breakup of the Soviet order was inevitable。 Instead， Zubok reveals how Gorbachev’s misguided reforms， intended to modernize and democratize the Soviet Union， deprived the government of resources and empowered separatism。 Collapse sheds new light on Russian democratic populism， the Baltic struggle for independence， the crisis of Soviet finances—and the fragility of authoritarian state power。

Download

Reviews

Simonas ，

Labai išsami chronologija kas atrodė Sovietų Sąjungos žlugimas 1988-1992 metais。 Įdomu susipažinti， kaip atrodo užsienietiškame kontekste， nes vis dėl to šitą istorijos dalį mes ypatingai vertiname per savo įvykių prizmę。 Man daug naujo ypatingai buvo 1991-ųjų istorijoje， ypač po rugpjūčio pučo， kas mano atmintyje jau minimaliai prisimenama。 Suprantu šita knyga Vakaruose kontraversiška， kur Gorbačiovas visiškai teigiamas perzonažas - šioje knygoje tai toli gražu。 Įdomi ir įtraukianti knyga。

Megan ，

Thorough， perceptive， fascinating。 I really enjoyed learning more about the reasons behind the Soviet Union's collapse –– Gorbachev's idealism without the ability to carry through， and Yeltsin's populism （and eventually， slide towards authoritarianism） posing as democracy。 Particularly as Russia right now （July 2022） is again trying to reclaim the Donbas， and all of Ukraine， a highly contested area in 1991， and the United States is also （as the novel's conclusion notes） experiencing its own popu Thorough， perceptive， fascinating。 I really enjoyed learning more about the reasons behind the Soviet Union's collapse –– Gorbachev's idealism without the ability to carry through， and Yeltsin's populism （and eventually， slide towards authoritarianism） posing as democracy。 Particularly as Russia right now （July 2022） is again trying to reclaim the Donbas， and all of Ukraine， a highly contested area in 1991， and the United States is also （as the novel's conclusion notes） experiencing its own populist， ethnonationalist uprising（s）， this is a very relevant book。 Yes， it's long， but that's because Zubok does not take for granted that his audience knows who these people are and is consistent about providing necessary context。 （I was six when the Soviet Union fell。 I appreciate this。） Zubok also provides analysis， tracing similarities between Gorbachev's reforms and earlier revolutions and reformers， especially Witte， Czar Nicholas I， and Stolypin; and Gorbachev's own neo-Leninism， ironic as Lenin's own flaws as a leader paved the way for Bolshevik authoritarianism， and for Stalin。 Highly recommend for all interested in （Russian） history， authoritarianism and democracy， and current events。 。。。more

John Mondragon ，

Extraordinary history。 Fundamentally reshaped my understanding of these events and shed incredible insights into current repercussions。Quite dense in names and details， which can be difficult without substantial background on USSR。

Richard Cahn ，

Really we didn’t need so much detail。 Made it hard to follow the thesis。

Andrew Hanson ，

Thorough account but obscured by western triumphalist narrative

Ronan ，

Incredibly well-researched and well-written account of the final years of the Soviet Union。 Helpful for understanding the state of modern Russia and the war in Ukraine。

Panagiotis Alexiou ，

Very in depth history of the last years of the Soviet Union。

Flaviu ，

Thorough account of the last few years of the USSR。 Meeting notes， letters， diaries and interviews。 It paints the picture that eventually became the modern Russia with all its flaws。 It also shows where the pivot points were that couldve made things much better or far worse。 A fascinating view， yet it takes the toll on the reader trying to keep track of all names， dates and events。 Overwhelming at points。

Alex Rivers ，

Without a doubt the best account of the collapse from the elites perspective I have seen。 It wonderfully mixes narrative storytelling from many point of views with heavily citated research and testimony。 My only complaint would be I found it dragged a fair bit in the middle and I would have liked to have seen the pictures mixed in with where they were relevant instead of dumped in the middle of the book。 Other than some small criticisms， I fully recommend this book to anyone interested in the So Without a doubt the best account of the collapse from the elites perspective I have seen。 It wonderfully mixes narrative storytelling from many point of views with heavily citated research and testimony。 My only complaint would be I found it dragged a fair bit in the middle and I would have liked to have seen the pictures mixed in with where they were relevant instead of dumped in the middle of the book。 Other than some small criticisms， I fully recommend this book to anyone interested in the Soviet Union at all。 。。。more

Darren Posey ，

Revelatory （for me） but flawed While I remember the collapse of the Soviet Union， so much of what is described in this book was completely new and surprising to me。 As the writer highlights， many of us were probably too focused on the first Gulf War and the economic problems of the end of the 90’s to pay attention to this massive event。 A really fascinating work of history。 At the same time， I struggled with parts of this work （too many minute details; too many sidebar comments from the author） Revelatory （for me） but flawed While I remember the collapse of the Soviet Union， so much of what is described in this book was completely new and surprising to me。 As the writer highlights， many of us were probably too focused on the first Gulf War and the economic problems of the end of the 90’s to pay attention to this massive event。 A really fascinating work of history。 At the same time， I struggled with parts of this work （too many minute details; too many sidebar comments from the author） and feel it really could have been improved with better writing and thorough editing。 。。。more

David Schroeder ，

Excellent work。 Zubok focus's more attention on the macroeconomic forces in the late Soviet Union as well as leadership's inability to make a concrete decision as key factors that resulted in the end of the Soviet Union。 Outstanding work; highly recommended。 Excellent work。 Zubok focus's more attention on the macroeconomic forces in the late Soviet Union as well as leadership's inability to make a concrete decision as key factors that resulted in the end of the Soviet Union。 Outstanding work; highly recommended。 。。。more

Mike Imbrenda ，

Easily one of the best and even handed retellings of the fall of the original evil empire。 Great insights into modern day conflicts and America's own internal problems。 Easily one of the best and even handed retellings of the fall of the original evil empire。 Great insights into modern day conflicts and America's own internal problems。 。。。more

Jan Goericke ，

Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav Zubok is a detailed descriptions of the economical and political events from the last year of President Andropov （1985） to the collapse of the USSR in 1991。 The book focuses on the Gorbachevian phenomena with his glasnost and perestroika attempts to modernize the Soviet society。 Soviet society had petrified under decades of conservative soviet leadership of Khrushchev and then Brezhnev。 Andropov had initiated reforms， but suddenly died before s Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav Zubok is a detailed descriptions of the economical and political events from the last year of President Andropov （1985） to the collapse of the USSR in 1991。 The book focuses on the Gorbachevian phenomena with his glasnost and perestroika attempts to modernize the Soviet society。 Soviet society had petrified under decades of conservative soviet leadership of Khrushchev and then Brezhnev。 Andropov had initiated reforms， but suddenly died before seeing these reforms being implemented。 Gorbashev was Andropov's choice as successor。 The book describes a deeply flawed Gorbashev who was torn between his superhero image in the West and his ineffectiveness and undecidedness as leader of the USSR。 Gorbashev never implemented any successful economical changes but was successful extending the lifetime of the USSR by successfully raising foreign support and capital。 The rise of Yeltsin as Russian president and Gorbachev's undoing is also described in the book。 I was a witness of the changes under Gorbashev and the Fall of the Wall in East Germany。 However， I was in my late teens/early twenties and preoccupied with life to recall all the details in this book。 I had to correct my view of Gorbashev after reading this book。 I was surprised and saddened by the ineffectiveness and cluelessness of the Soviet/Russian leadership。 The dark shadows of this leadership reach into present day and explain some of the reasons behind the 2022 Ukraine war。 The arrogance and ignorance of the Russian leaders is palpable today， a toxic mix of historical revisionism， condescension of the West， and utter economical inaptitude。 The book also confirmed on of the most irritating Western misconceptions which have irritated me for decades - the role of Ronald Regan in the undoing of the USSR and Fall of the Berlin Wall。 Regan's role is very much exaggerated， which is typical with the US feeling of "global exceptionalism。" This book is very timely， well written and highly recommended for readers who are trying to better understand the great and tragic Russian empire。 （read as audiobook） 。。。more

Jeff Lacy ，

I read David Remnick’s， Lenin’s Tomb， and Sarotte’s， Not One Inch， which discussed the break-up of the Soviet Union。 Both were quite good。 This book is more detailed and discusses facts not brought out in Remnick’s or Sarotte’s—though I especially like Remnick’s any book that has better access to archives has a better chance of providing greater information。

Andy Anaya ，

A great read。 As a millennial who who has merely vaguely heard of the fall of the Soviet Union mentioned without ever really understanding its significance or context in any sort of depth， I thought this was a great collection of information （though I take all historical books with a grain of salt）。 I had heard the names mentioned 'Gorbachev' and 'Yeltsin' many times but never really grasped the context of their cultural significance in history until I had this close look at the unfolding situat A great read。 As a millennial who who has merely vaguely heard of the fall of the Soviet Union mentioned without ever really understanding its significance or context in any sort of depth， I thought this was a great collection of information （though I take all historical books with a grain of salt）。 I had heard the names mentioned 'Gorbachev' and 'Yeltsin' many times but never really grasped the context of their cultural significance in history until I had this close look at the unfolding situation。 I really wish I had this better understanding sooner， because besides the defeat of the Nazis and the dropping of the atom bombs， coming away from this text I can't think of a more significant worldwide cultural event than the fall of the USSR， and I think it's something that anyone curious about history anywhere should understand intimately。 It was certainly completely glossed over in my Standard American Education （barf puke gag）。 。。。more

Randy ，

This is a more detailed account of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of nationalism in Russia than casual Western observers had at the time。 Mikhail Gorbachev was indecisive and ineffective， hemmed in by Leninist theory and belief in Soviet institutions， while Boris Yeltsin took the moribund government of the old RSFSR， tied it to Western liberalism， and used it to simply push Gorbachev and the USSR out of the way。 The author has some sympathy for economists who wanted to move more s This is a more detailed account of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of nationalism in Russia than casual Western observers had at the time。 Mikhail Gorbachev was indecisive and ineffective， hemmed in by Leninist theory and belief in Soviet institutions， while Boris Yeltsin took the moribund government of the old RSFSR， tied it to Western liberalism， and used it to simply push Gorbachev and the USSR out of the way。 The author has some sympathy for economists who wanted to move more slowly than Yeltsin’s people but who couldn’t get Gorbachev to make decisions。 The mobocratic privatization and default of the 1990s followed， leading to the rise of you-know-who and his oligarchic bandits。 It’s dry history， but interesting nonetheless。 。 。。。more

Jeremy Punnett ，

An epic read。 I had no idea the breakup of the Soviet Union was such a mess。 Gorbachev does not come out of this looking good。"The Soviet fell victim to a perfect storm and a hapless captain。" An epic read。 I had no idea the breakup of the Soviet Union was such a mess。 Gorbachev does not come out of this looking good。"The Soviet fell victim to a perfect storm and a hapless captain。" 。。。more

Liz ，

This was the other book I read， or rather attempted to read， to understand the fall of the USSR。 Perhaps because I was listening to the audiobook， I found it very hard to follow。 Sadly， I really could not find a concise， readable history of this important turning point in world history。

Eoin ，

Interesting， detailed look at the causes of collapse of the USSR， laying almost all the blame at Gorbachev's feet （to the point of repetition）。 Comes off a bit textbooky， but a good analysis all the same of an under-researched part of history。 Segments on the separation of Ukraine from Russia， particularly the Crimea and Donbass regions， haunt the closing chapters。 Unlike other recent books on Russia （see Putin's People）， would only recommend this for people with an academic-level of interest。 Interesting， detailed look at the causes of collapse of the USSR， laying almost all the blame at Gorbachev's feet （to the point of repetition）。 Comes off a bit textbooky， but a good analysis all the same of an under-researched part of history。 Segments on the separation of Ukraine from Russia， particularly the Crimea and Donbass regions， haunt the closing chapters。 Unlike other recent books on Russia （see Putin's People）， would only recommend this for people with an academic-level of interest。 。。。more

Sebastian ，

Conventional history writing: Ruled by chronology， focus on the big guys， high politics。 That said， this is a gripping account of the final years of the Soviet Union。 True， a lot of names， a lot of detail - but still a page turner。 Spoiler: Gorbachev is not the hero of this story。

Andrew Fairweather ，

A big book full of little details， but the author sets out his thesis pretty early on—that had the Soviet Union taken a more conservative approach to reforms （as was suggested by Andropov） the comic instability and eventual fall of the Union which was "overseen" by Gorbachev could've been avoided。 I agree with the author， not only because of Zubok's meticulous research， but because we have a case study of an alternative approach closer to Andropov's which actually *did* work—Deng Xiaopeng's。 Gor A big book full of little details， but the author sets out his thesis pretty early on—that had the Soviet Union taken a more conservative approach to reforms （as was suggested by Andropov） the comic instability and eventual fall of the Union which was "overseen" by Gorbachev could've been avoided。 I agree with the author， not only because of Zubok's meticulous research， but because we have a case study of an alternative approach closer to Andropov's which actually *did* work—Deng Xiaopeng's。 Gorbachev received much love from Western states， but you get the sense from Zubov's telling that this was the very thing which was his downfall。 The man clearly loved being popular （with the West， not his own people。。。）， and his commitment to an idea of himself was probably more responsible for his missteps than fatal internal conflict due to the nature of the Soviet Union itself。The collapse into nationalism of not just the satellites， but Russia itself， was truly heartbreaking to read， and Gorbachev does， indeed， come out looking incredibly foolish。 He seemed like a guy who read instructions on "how-to-Lenin" and followed the directions perfectly yet could not achieve the desired results。 By the end of the book it seemed clear to me that intellectuals are not to be trusted with reform！ They will， at all costs， force the entire world to revolve around its own idealistic gathering point。 What we need is more intelligence and less intellectuals， I'd say。 Go figure。 。。。more

Jonathan ，

I highly recommend Collapse。 In addition to being an well detailed play by play account of the final years of the Soviet Union， it is also richly textured in terms of giving an understanding of the personalities and conditions involved。 Zubok's A Failed Empire changed my perspective on the Soviet Union， and Collapse did the same for this particular period。 What I think makes it stand out is the author's presentation of all the decision points where things may have ended up differently。 Truly， an I highly recommend Collapse。 In addition to being an well detailed play by play account of the final years of the Soviet Union， it is also richly textured in terms of giving an understanding of the personalities and conditions involved。 Zubok's A Failed Empire changed my perspective on the Soviet Union， and Collapse did the same for this particular period。 What I think makes it stand out is the author's presentation of all the decision points where things may have ended up differently。 Truly， an inevitability approach to history leaves so much out， and Zubok brilliantly illustrates the many ways in which events could have ended up differently for the Soviet Union。 There are several currents running through the narrative that help make this point: total indecision by Gorbachev， a lack of macroeconomic expertise among the reformers， the rising tide of nationalism， and the lack of investment by the West as things fell apart。 There are also lessons and takeaways that resonate elsewhere， including nationalist politics that promises much and fails to deliver， the need for thinking along a long time horizon， and the consequences of not relying on expertise when appropriate。 Thought provoking and challenging to perspective， while engrossing in its story， Collapse is a top read。 。。。more

Susan Waller ，

Written in exhaustive （and exhausting） detail， Collapse paints a portrait of Gorbachev as idealistic， but weak vacillating and unable to make decisions， and Yeltsin as a bumbling drunken "Uncle Vanya。" The author reasons that the Soviet attempts at reform were not brought about by pressure from the West or Reagan's arms race but rather from the Soviet leadership's own realization of the need to reform。 In fact， pressure from the US served to handicap would-be Soviet reformers by squeezing the So Written in exhaustive （and exhausting） detail， Collapse paints a portrait of Gorbachev as idealistic， but weak vacillating and unable to make decisions， and Yeltsin as a bumbling drunken "Uncle Vanya。" The author reasons that the Soviet attempts at reform were not brought about by pressure from the West or Reagan's arms race but rather from the Soviet leadership's own realization of the need to reform。 In fact， pressure from the US served to handicap would-be Soviet reformers by squeezing the Soviet economy。 Any attempt at reform was doomed from the start due to lack of effective leadership in the 1990s， with the resulting chaos opening the door to Putin's eventual takeover。 While the book did add to my understanding of Russian recent history， I think it would be better appreciated by someone with more prior knowledge of the events， who would be interested in a blow-by-blow report。 pg 45"American belligerence， at least until the end of 1987， made it hard for Soviet reformers to reallocate resources from the military to the civilian economy。" pg 84After visiting an American supermarket:"'What did they [the Soviet Union] do to our poor people？ Throughout our lives they told us fairy tales， tried to invent the wheel。 And the wheel already exists。。。 yet not for us。' [Yeltsin] An aide wrote that 'the last prop of Yeltsin's Bolshevist mentality decomposed' at that moment。 Yeltsin decided that his mission was now to bring the "American Dream" to the Russian people。"pg 372"Yeltsin himself was a major part of the problem: the Russian President could not grasp the macroeconomic logic and multiple problems involved in such a market leap。 He made contradictory and half-coherent public announcements about planned reforms。" pg 428"A much more logical path for the Soviet system would have been the continuation of Andropov-like authoritarianism which enjoyed mass support， combined with radical market liberalization。 Even in 1990-1991， the majority of Russians wanted a strong leader， a better economy， and consolidation of the country - not liberal democracy， civil rights， and national self-determination" 。。。more

Stuart Enkey ，

Excellent and timely read。 The author clearly has a view shaped by his Russian background。 That is helpful in presenting a view that may be new to western readers。 The drama of the last days of the Soviet Union unfold like a Shakespearean tragedy in a tabloid。 Drunk Yeltsin， blind Gorbachev， the Past itself is an ever present character in this drama。

Cool_guy ，

In many ways I feel that my understanding of the collapse of the Soviet Union is just as fuzzy as it was before I read Collapse。 That's not really Zubok's fault。 A high level political history of the disintegration of the USSR is bound to be borderline incoherent because the main actors had no idea what they were doing。 In fact， its a testament to his rigor as a historian that he doesn't try to cram events into a cohesive， albeit flawed， narrative。Take Gorbachev， for instance。 I used to think he In many ways I feel that my understanding of the collapse of the Soviet Union is just as fuzzy as it was before I read Collapse。 That's not really Zubok's fault。 A high level political history of the disintegration of the USSR is bound to be borderline incoherent because the main actors had no idea what they were doing。 In fact， its a testament to his rigor as a historian that he doesn't try to cram events into a cohesive， albeit flawed， narrative。Take Gorbachev， for instance。 I used to think he was naive but fundamentally good hearted （not that that matters at this level）。 Now it's clear to me he was an arrogant oaf。 Animated by what he thought was the spirit of Lenin， Gorby chased misty visions of European social democracy （in the midst of its decline， one should add）， while unleashing the forces that tore his country apart。 I'd never thought I'd find Yeltsin， the sentimental drunk， a more interesting figure， but I did。Finally， it's a miracle it took 30 years for a war in Ukraine to kick off。 。。。more

michal k-c ，

extremely thorough and rigorous， the kind of work that once made me want to be a historian （before other works convinced me to pursue theory， I'm apparently very impressionable）。 Wish Zubok would've let himself off the leash a little bit more， but that's more a pitfall of the discipline and a marker of "good work" than it is a detriment。 the book is also extremely topical， with much of the back half being concerned with the issue of Ukrainian separatism and nationalism。 but， despite what Yeltsin extremely thorough and rigorous， the kind of work that once made me want to be a historian （before other works convinced me to pursue theory， I'm apparently very impressionable）。 Wish Zubok would've let himself off the leash a little bit more， but that's more a pitfall of the discipline and a marker of "good work" than it is a detriment。 the book is also extremely topical， with much of the back half being concerned with the issue of Ukrainian separatism and nationalism。 but， despite what Yeltsin lead many to believe， Ukraine's sovereignty wasn't what split up the Union （though it was its final undoing）。 Gorbachev's delusional perestroika， tragic economic mismanagement， and his monumental ego were ultimately what did it。 It's not worth doing "what if" history too much， but it's pretty hard not to imagine what the world might look like had the Sino-Soviet split not happened， had Andropov lived just a little bit longer to implement more conservative reforms， or had Gorbachev not sold the Union in exchange for a Pizza Hut commercial。 。。。more

Casaubon ，

My father thinks Gorbachev is an idiot。-Deng Xiaoping's youngest son， Deng ZhifangThere is no shortage of books on the fall of the Soviet Union。 I am not in any sense a 'Russianist'， but I can name several books off the top of my head - Stephen Kotkin's Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse， 1970-2000， David Remnick's Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire， and William Taubman's biography， Gorbachev: His Life and Times， or earlier prophecies of Soviet collapse such as George Kennan's My father thinks Gorbachev is an idiot。-Deng Xiaoping's youngest son， Deng ZhifangThere is no shortage of books on the fall of the Soviet Union。 I am not in any sense a 'Russianist'， but I can name several books off the top of my head - Stephen Kotkin's Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse， 1970-2000， David Remnick's Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire， and William Taubman's biography， Gorbachev: His Life and Times， or earlier prophecies of Soviet collapse such as George Kennan's Long Telegram。 Not to mention the memoirs of those centrally or peripherally involved， such as Ambassador Matlock's Autopsy on an Empire: The American Ambassador's Account of the Collapse of the Soviet Union。By the mid 1980s Zubok finds that the Soviet Union was in a bad shape but stable。 Military expenditures were high， but the military manufacturing complex was one of the crown jewels of the Soviet economy and was relatively advanced。 The Chernobyl nuclear accident blew a hole in the state budget， but not as much as what Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaigns - recall that reduced alcohol consumption meant a reduced intake for state budget。 Zubok's account says that the causes of death were internal- multiple organ failure after over-exertion。 Zubok argues that western foreign policy did not destroy the Soviet Union， but it was instead a series of decisions and events at the highest levels of the government - not just the increased military spending or the Chernobyl disaster or the oil price shock， but instead the decentralization and loss of control of the Soviet economy from Gorbachev's misguided - indeed "ruinous" reforms。 This led to their lack of fiscal contribution from peripheral areas towards the central government and the hollowing out of its capabilities。 This was aggravated by the political reforms。 The weakening of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the entrenched bureaucracy instead gave ammunition to ethnic and nationalist separatists and regional centers of power。 The CPSU and the nomenklatura was the levers of power， and they were seen broken apart。 Further concessions only emboldened nationalists， and instead propelled Yeltsin further into power。 Former party members became strident anti-communists would instead gleefully loot the state on a grand scale after the passing of the ill-designed "Law on Socialist Enterprises"。 Zubok asserts that while the separatist movements of say Ukraine or the Baltic states were important， that was not central to the collapse; and the basis of their power was instead taking advantage of the internal struggle as well as relying on outside diaspora。 The United States， at least in Zubok's telling， was confused and incredulous at recent events。 Policy became more pragmatic; first in trying to keep Gorbachev around because he was agreement in foreign policy and in mutual nuclear disarmament， and then trying to keep him alive， then trying to shield itself from the explosion。In short， it was a "perfect storm" with a "hapless captain"。 Gorbachev desired huge changes， but he was rapidly unable to maintain control; and he essentially escaped to foreign policy and playing the statesmen after bouts of domestic weakness。 Gorbachev was not the only captain of the sinking ship; but Zubok finds that his campaigns of reforms were misguided - the top policymakers didn't know what they were doing， and they didn't want to turn back， perhaps in fear of heading back to what was there before。 And Zubok finds being Gorbachev as being a kind of Leninist - not because he's decisive， not because he formed a vanguard party which dominated political affairs， but that Gorbachev saw the appeal of a figure who changed history so dramatically - and even mimed his speech after Lenin at some points！ He says that Gorbachev feted Western leaders and developing cordial relationships， but the Western leaders soon realized how rotten the Soviet Union state was and how tenuous his position was。 But in the later years of his reign， he became hesitant， timid， and unable to see his reforms through， and was thrashed by the brutally ambitious Yeltsin。 Zubok's argument is provocative and thorough， and makes a broad use of interviews - including with Gorbachev and many members of Yeltsin's staff。 He does not give in to stereotypes about an unchanging Russia that is caught in an "oriental despotism"。 He sees the fall of the Soviet Union and the hopes of so many reformers as opportunities lost。 I point out Zubok's conclusion: History has never been a morality play about the inevitable victory of freedom and democracy。 Instead， the world remains what it always was: an arena of struggle between idealism and power， good governance and corruption， the surge of freedom and the need to curb it in times of crisis and emergency。 。。。more

Gary Boland ，

I'm not finished this book （about 5% to go） but I am happy to rate it。 Despite a fascinating subject AND being currently relevant （Russian troops are threatening to invade Ukraine in February 2022）， this book bored me silly。 First off it is twice too long。 Secondly it repeats itself 100 times （gorby was weak， boris was on the sauce and borbulus was on the make）。 In the end boris gets most of what he wants and there is a commonwealth （of sorts） established。 Avoid。 I'm not finished this book （about 5% to go） but I am happy to rate it。 Despite a fascinating subject AND being currently relevant （Russian troops are threatening to invade Ukraine in February 2022）， this book bored me silly。 First off it is twice too long。 Secondly it repeats itself 100 times （gorby was weak， boris was on the sauce and borbulus was on the make）。 In the end boris gets most of what he wants and there is a commonwealth （of sorts） established。 Avoid。 。。。more

Mike Hill ，

Deep dive into the last years of USSR

Matt Fuller ，

didnt have much new to say

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0