Product Description: One of the most successful dictators of the twentieth century, Stalin believed that fashioning a better tomorrow was worth sacrificing the lives of millions today. He built a modern Russia on the corpses of millions of its citizens...read more

Product Description: The conflict between Russia and America shaped the world for over four decades. Both were universalist powers – they wanted every country in the world to copy their model of government and economy. They could not rest until the other side had been vanquished, and until the mid-1980s this included the prospect of nuclear war...read more

A study of the history, culture and development of East Germany under communist rule from World War II until shortly before the fall of the Wall.

The birth of the Soviet Union surprised many; its demise amazed the whole world. How did imperial Russia give way to the Soviet Union in 1917, and why did the USSR collapse so quickly? This book examines the strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions of the first Marxist state, and reassesses the role of authority and legitimacy in Soviet politics.

Places the history of Afghanistan in the context of the Central Asian experience, and discusses economic issues, religion, great power rivalries in the region, and the causes and consequences of the September 11, 2001 attack. (view table of contents)

Who's Who is Russia and the Soviet Union is a unique reference guide which examines the leading political, economic, cultural, military, scientific and sporting personalities from 1900-1991. Through analysis of figures such as Stalin, Brezhnev, Khrushchev, Yeltsin, Ratushinskaya and Sakharov, a comprehensive portrait of Russian and Soviet society in this era emerges. The book takes the reader up to the collapse of the Soviet Union and provides:- detailed biographical information on each leading figure- bibliographical references with entries as an aid to further research- a comprehensive glossary of Russian terms, concepts and institutions and a useful chronology of events- an accessible and user-friendly A-Z layout- an invaluable guide for students, teachers, researchers, and the general reader alike.

Product Description:  During the 1990s, the "roving bandits", big business or the oligarchs, stole Russia. They gained influence over President Yeltsin and his government, and gradually shaped policy in their own interests. In this first comprehensive account to explain why Russia took the course it did, Martin McCauley examines the period through the prism of government, including Yeltsin's shadow government, and looks at the military, police, security and intelligence services...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

This is a study of Gorbachev written in the light of his revealing memoirs, which gave Soviet-watchers an intimate view of the realities of Kremlin life in the final years of the USSR. The author uses this and other recent memoirs and archives to give an objective account of what has happened and why during this period of reform, failure and collapse and also an assessment of Gorbachev himself. It reveals the claustraphobic and personal world of the Soviet leader and analyzes Gorbachev as both poitician and man, reviewing his aims and assessing why his reforms failed and whether they would have succeeded: was he a great leader who came to late or a lightweight? The text also gives the full history of Glasnost and Perestroika, while revealing how it was Gorbachev's mishandling of the nationalities question that brought him down. It ends with a sustained comparison of the Russian and Chinese experience of economic reform. The story is set in its widest international context with cameo roles for Reagan, Thatcher and Kohl and throughout the figure of Yeltsin undermining Gorbachev's every move. (view table of contents)

This new Companion, by a leading historian of Russian and Soviet history, covers the period 1914 to the modern day taking in the twilight years of Tsarist Russia, communist Russia and new Russia. Not only is a vast amount of material brought together in an accessible form but much of the material is published for the first time. (view table of contents)

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Product Description: This book provides a narrative and analysis of the first four years of the Gorbachev phenomenon. All areas of great significance are covered. Special attention is paid to the economy, nationality affairs and foreign affairs. Gorbachev's standing abroad is much higher than at home...read more

This selection of documents traces the process of modernization which took place in Russia between 1856 and 1881. Political, social and economic developments are dealt with in thematic sections and the documents also show the growth of the revolutionary movement and conservative attempts to quell it.

Product Description: In this book specialists address the main problems facing Gorbachev and are cautiously optimistic about his chances of modernising the USSR. It is absolutely essential that results in 1986 and 1987 are good otherwise he will face failure...read more

Product Description: Octobrists to Bolsheviks: Imperial Russia, 1905-1917 (Documents of Modern History)

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Analyzes events of 1941 through 1948 resulting in an acrimonious relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union which gradually affected Europe and the rest of the world.