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The Fall of the Soviet Union

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By: Vladislav M. Zubok
Narrated by: David de Vries
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About this listen

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

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, 5,000 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 20th 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.

©2021 Vladislav M. Zubok (P)2021 Tantor 20th Century Modern Russia Soviet Union Military Socialism
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A very well-searched history that maintains a lively pace despite the depth of information. Truly an engaging work. It maintains a remarkably neutral stance with respect to the events described, and free of the triumphalism found in other works.

Excellent

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A very well written and comprehensive narrative covering the end of the Soviet Union. Primarily focusing on the period from the ascendency of Mikhail Gorbachev (and with specific detail on 1991 in particular), this book is an excellent resource for anyone curious about one of the most significant events in 20th Century world history.

The book primarily analyses the role of Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin (and their key advisers/bureaucrats), but does touch on other aspects of key events in other Soviet republics, particularly the ascendency of Baltic and Ukrainian independence, and separatism in the South Caucus republics.

Excellent chronicle of the demise of the USSR

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A fantastic, in-depth account of one of the most complex and impactful events of the 20th century.

Brilliant

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Loved the narrator. Great listening and a deeply engrossing story. One of the most detailed accounts of the dissolution of the Soviet union I’ve found.

A captivating and important read

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an excellent book for anyone interested in a detailed description of the last years of the Soviet Union.

Excellent book

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Best accounting of the fall of the Soviet Union that I've ever seen. Well worth your time.

Fantastic

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