The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Empire - Political Leaders from Lenin to Gorbachev (Paperback, New Ed)

Following his great trilog of biographies of the giants who dominated the history of the Soviet Union – 'Stalin, Lenin' and 'Trosky' – Russian historian Dmitri Volkogonov delves deeper into the Soviet archives to reveal the truth behind the activities of the world’s most secretive political leaders.

In vivid, devastating and sometimes surreal detail, he has produced a clear-eyed assessment and political evaluation of the seven leaders who ruled the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1991. He throws new light on Lenin’s paranoia about foreigners in Russia and his creation of a privileged system for top Party members; Stalin’s repression of the nationalities and his singular conduct of foreign policy; the origins and conduct of the Korean War; Khrushchev’s relationship with the odious secret service chief Beria and his handling of the Cuban missile crisis; Brezhnev’s vanity and stupidity; the Afghan War; Poland and Solidarity; Gorbachev’s Leninism and his role in history. With his final work, Volkogonov has once again provided an invaluable service to twentieth-century history.

“These seven political portraits singly or together make for compelling reading in their own right … This is a powerful work, its value substantially enhanced by the quality and quantity of evidence garnered from numerous archives. And for smooth rendition into English, the reader has genuine cause for gratitude to Harold Shukman, translator and editor.”
JOHN ERICKSON, 'Times Higher Education Supplement'

“Finely translated and edited by Harold Shukman … Volkogonov, in his last book, has delivered as balanced, sane and brave a judgement as a Russian historian of his generation and calling could possibly do.”
JOHN LLOYD, 'New Statesman'

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