Publishers summary:
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, and the crisis of Soviet finances.
Wow, this sounds like a deep dive into some really fascinating history! Zubok’s take on Gorbachev’s reforms is definitely an interesting angle. It’s crazy to think how much influence one leader’s decisions can have on world history. Might have to give this a listen on my next long road trip.
Honestly it was pretty gruelling to work my way through this book. Doesn’t help that I was extremely depressed at the time.
Zubok is neutral to positive in his assessment of Gorbachev and his reforms imo but for me it painted a picture of a very strategic dismantling of the USSR, mostly on an economic level, which seemed very cynical and calculated so that even if Gorby got ousted or someone assumed his position the reforms would have already gained enough momentum to basically ensure a capitalist restoration regardless of any later efforts to prevent it. Imo it was a counterrevolution established via policy. It makes my blood boil to think of all the immense sacrifices made just so Gorby could piss them up the wall. The book is definitely a fascinating autopsy into what happened and I definitely recommend it but at the same time it’s a very grim case study for a communist to delve into, for obvious reasons.
Anyway if you’re interested, there’s this Werner Herzog documentary Meeting Gorbachev where he interviews Gorby. Might make for an interesting way to close things out once you finish the book by getting a retrospective from him in his own words.