Collapse

The Fall of the Soviet Union

By: Vladislav M. Zubok

Narrated by: David de Vries

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

One of the best books I’ve EVER read

I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child. This book makes it to my top-ten best books I’ve ever read or listened to in my entire life. Truly amazing! I’ve learned so much! A masterfully written, gripping narrative on the demise of the Soviet Union that is highly relevant for understanding today’s landscape.
My only wish is that professor Zubok would write a sequel on the 1990s…

A Detailed Depiction of the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Having grown up during the Cold War, and having visited Poland in Communist times, I was most interested in this topic. The author brought forward the importance of the personalities in Soviet Union and the West at this time. He included the economic situation of the Soviet Union as well. This book requires more reflection and further research to understand the collapse well. I am very happy to have taken the time this book required.

Exceptionally detailed account of the end of the Union

Very well written and acted book that documents a time in history most Americans have no knowledge on

Comprehensive and insightful

Though the focus of the coverage is on individual leadership, it thoroughly explains the rise of separatists in the republics and inactions of the Soviet state in crisis. Well worth of the time in listening. The book provides a comprehensive historical narrative on the collapse of the Soviet Union from 1989 to 1991, with a focus on leadership failures of Gorbachev but also Yeltsin who undermined the former Soviet leader in every way possible. Different readers could draw different reading experiences and lessons, a sign of a good comprehensive coverage. My strong impression from the reading is on the critical role of various Soviet republics' nationalism in the collapse--the national separatism starting from Lithuania ,Estonia, Latvia eventually to Ukraine and Georgia and other republics, and importantly Russia under Yeltsin. But perhaps more important is the failure of Gorbachev, intensionally or unintentionally, to use the state institutions (the party, KGB, and Army) to save the union. Gorbachev's half-baked efforts to save the union is in stark contrast with Yeltsin's blatant acts to put Russia away from it.

The Soviet Union had a strong state but failing economy. The state could have been used in improving the economy, through market-oriented reforms, like what China did in the same period. Nevertheless, though Gorbachev didn't intentionally go out to dismantle the state's institutions, his acts largely rendered it in inaction, leading to the leadership failure in boosting the economy, and later collapse of the state under Yeltsin and rise of the Oligarch which eventually led to the rise of Putin and restoration of the authoritarian rule. The strong dose of national separatism and inaction of the state, made possible by Gorbachev's leadership vision and personality, were the root cause of the collapse.

Interesting

I was a college student when this historic event unfolded. This book brought about a greater understanding.

A excellent book about the institutional suicide of the USSR

While I believe that it is impossible to write a completely unbiased book about a topic as decisive as the Soviet Union, this book does a good job of providing a straightforward and neutral analysis of the collapse of the Soviet union. This book doesn’t fall into the trap of reproducing the western propaganda about the inevitable collapse of the “evil empire” and does a good job of highlighting the internal and external causes of the collapse.

A fascinating read

A poignant and in depth look into the drama of the fall of the Soviet Union, filled with day by day diaries, decrees and decisions, a must read for any interested in the Soviet Union

Incredibly detailed and gripping

This is truly an unparalleled account of the soviet collapse. The author provides accounts and insights never heard before. It sheds a clear light on the happenings of the time. I had to listen twice to ensure I could fully absorb it and it was a truly enjoyable audio book. the narratior did an excellent job as well. Highly recommended.

focuses on the politics leading up to the collapse

not five stars because I wish it could have gone into more detail about why Russia's economy was in the state it was and couldn't get turned around. I'm curious why we didn't send people in to help reform their economy like we previously did successfully for Japan

Cautionary tale for the 2020's

Must read observations in final chapter, with comparisons to what is going on in the present A fantastic twist, what seemed like epic history suddenly presented in the light of a cautionary tale.