Collapse cover image

Collapse

The Fall of the Soviet Union

 Listen to a sample

Get 30 days of Standard free

€6.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for €0.00
More purchase options

Collapse

By: Vladislav M. Zubok
Narrated by: David de Vries
Try for €0.00

€6.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for €26.31

Buy Now for €26.31

This Season's Biggest Deal | 0.99 €/mo for 3 months + 15 € Audible bonus

6.99 €/month thereafter - terms apply. Cancel monthly.
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, the crisis of Soviet finances - and the fragility of authoritarian state power.

©2021 Vladislav M. Zubok (P)2021 Tantor Europe Modern Russia
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
This very detailed book helps to understand current conflicts and developed to be a thriller in the end. How Ukraine and Crimea separated was discussed in detail. Interestingly Gorbatschow said that this cold boil up to a civil war worse than in Juguslawia. Here politics showed to be a thrilling chess game with Jelzin as unrational player on the field.

Interesting and thrilling book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
To understand Eastern Europe and former USSSR republics you should read this book. Then you understand todays conflicts and Russia’s view on the world.

Must read for politicians

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This well researched book teaches valuable lessons of history and serves as a reminder that the path towards democracy and meeting economic crisis is fragile a balancing act, at all times…. It also shows that communication in media is just a product of lazy journalism…
Very refreshing!

Simply profound and refreshing view on a complex topic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I recommend the book. it gives a great inside in the fall of the Soviet Union and the difficulties after the fall in the early 90ies

Great inside in the fall of the Soviet Union

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
generally interesting narrative but glosses over the intellectual foundations and motivations of the people and the system. the 3 sentence long episode on the fall of the berlin wall is outright bizzar.

missing the intellectual depth needed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews