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liann24's review against another edition
5.0
Essential to understanding the Russians today...an ongoing historical issue...who are they? Do they even know?
vilshanskyd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
rc90041's review against another edition
4.0
I'm finally done. I've been reading this book for three months. Don't get me wrong: It's an excellent book, and an incredibly important one. It's prescient in seeing the impossibility of Russia smoothly transitioning from the single-party rule of the Communist Party to a type of liberal Western democracy, and in forecasting the dark allure of autocracy and authoritarianism to a people who lived for so long, unfree, under an empire they learned to be proud of.
This book is a work of journalism, not history. Remnick was there in 1991 as the Communist Party came to an end in Russia. The book was published in 1993, with an afterword added in 1994. Remnick was too close to the events to be able to write a history; he was an observer, recording historic events as they happened. There's an important difference. The journalistic work here is excellent, but sometimes suffers from a lack of perspective and proportion. For example, Remnick was a reporter in Moscow for the Washington Post, so he ends up being disproportionately interested in Russian papers and journals, and giving us more details than we really need about them. The book is long, perhaps too long, in large part because it's packed with detail about events and characters; it's just not clear how much of that detail remains relevant as we move further away from the events recorded in the book. That is the difference in a work of history: which details are important becomes clearer with distance from the events.
I'm very glad I read this book. It's a crucial work about a critical historical event: the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the twentieth century. It's a dense, long book, but one that is rich with detail and insight that help explain how Russia has become what it is today: an autocratic state run by an authoritarian leader who promises a people still mourning their mighty empire renewed greatness, security, and strength.
This book is a work of journalism, not history. Remnick was there in 1991 as the Communist Party came to an end in Russia. The book was published in 1993, with an afterword added in 1994. Remnick was too close to the events to be able to write a history; he was an observer, recording historic events as they happened. There's an important difference. The journalistic work here is excellent, but sometimes suffers from a lack of perspective and proportion. For example, Remnick was a reporter in Moscow for the Washington Post, so he ends up being disproportionately interested in Russian papers and journals, and giving us more details than we really need about them. The book is long, perhaps too long, in large part because it's packed with detail about events and characters; it's just not clear how much of that detail remains relevant as we move further away from the events recorded in the book. That is the difference in a work of history: which details are important becomes clearer with distance from the events.
I'm very glad I read this book. It's a crucial work about a critical historical event: the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the twentieth century. It's a dense, long book, but one that is rich with detail and insight that help explain how Russia has become what it is today: an autocratic state run by an authoritarian leader who promises a people still mourning their mighty empire renewed greatness, security, and strength.
nikita_barsukov's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing feat of book-length journalism, this work provides a fascinating read, particularly as the Russian invasion in Ukraine continues to rage. A particularly revealing aspect is the author's firsthand description of the emergence of the Russian far-right during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additionally, the sketches of well-known present-day figures who began their careers in the aftermath of the empire's demise are truly eyebrow-raising.
However, one caveat should be noted. If you are seeking an introduction to the collapse of the Soviet Union, this may not be the ideal choice. This book is quite lengthy and was primarily written as the events were unfolding, assuming that the reader possesses some knowledge of the context, main characters, and related details. If you already have a solid understanding of the background, this book will undoubtedly provide a captivating exploration of the subject matter.
However, one caveat should be noted. If you are seeking an introduction to the collapse of the Soviet Union, this may not be the ideal choice. This book is quite lengthy and was primarily written as the events were unfolding, assuming that the reader possesses some knowledge of the context, main characters, and related details. If you already have a solid understanding of the background, this book will undoubtedly provide a captivating exploration of the subject matter.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
I am obsessed by the rise and fall of USSR, especially the fall. I have wanted to learn how the various states were behaving under Moscow's rule, how the control was maintained and when it ended, how it fared.
Remnick answered almost every question for me.
Definitely recommend this book if you want to learn more about USSR.
Remnick answered almost every question for me.
Definitely recommend this book if you want to learn more about USSR.
nlbullock1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, particularly as it gave me a better insight into the collapse of the Soviet Union and helped me to more fully understand some of the things I observed as a missionary.
mybrilliantbasset's review against another edition
3.0
For those of you who like this kind of book, this is the kind of book you will like ::politely stifles yawn while trying to track different men’s names::
sarapalooza's review against another edition
4.0
What a fantastic book! Remnick gives incredible insight from his time in Russia during the end of the Soviet Union.