With new information from Russian archives, this work examines the historical roots of Gorbachev’s perestroika and the reforms that would eventually lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The controversies among Soviet leaders from Lenin to Gorbachev over party role, economic management, resource allocation, ethnic policies, legality and foreign relations are discussed. An appendix “reads between the lines” in historic Soviet texts, and a helpful list of Soviet leaders, with brief identifications, is included.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Sidney Ploss, a retired historian and Russian policy analyst, lives in Washington, D.C.

Sidney Ploss
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 254
Bibliographic Info: appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4486-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5709-0
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. A False Dawn of Freedom      5

2. Lenin and Stalin: Terror and Fissures      35
3. Stalin: Onset of Court Politics      55
4. Khrushchev: Between Reformers and Diehards      81
5. Brezhnev: Restoring Stability      117
6. Gorbachev: Turning Point      142
7. Gorbachev: Demolishing the Pillars      170

Epilogue      196
Appendix 1: Kremlin Political Signals      211
Appendix 2: Identifications of Essential Figures      216
Chapter Notes      221
Bibliography      231
Index      239

“well-researched…well-written…well documented…highly recommended”—Operaphile.