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Book Description
A fascinating, dramatic account of the last day of the Soviet Union and the intense rivalry between Gorbachev and Yeltsin
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History always comes down to the details. And when it comes to the fall of the Soviet Union, the details are crucial, especially when such an era-defining event hinged on the bitter personal relationship between two powerful men, Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin.
On the twentieth anniversary of the end of the Cold War, Conor O'Clery has built his compelling and brilliantly constructed narrative of the fall of the Soviet Union around one day, December 25, 1991, the date Gorbachev resigned and the USSR was effectively consigned to history. From there, O'Clery looks back over the events of the previous six years: Gorbachev's reform policies of glasnost and perestroika; Yeltsin's ignominious fall and then rise to the top; the defiance of the once docile Soviet republics; the failed August coup by the hardliners; and the events that swiftly followed until a secret meeting in a central European forest sealed the fate of the communist monolith and the clock ticked down to the last day.
The result is an intricately detailed, thoroughly researched book, based on interviews with many of the key figures in a drama of Shakespearean intensity as well as contemporary reportage, the memoirs and diaries of key political figures and official documents. The book is written at a breathtaking, dramatic pace, drawing the reader in as it focuses equally on the personal and historical stories.
Moscow, December 25, 1991 is set to become a defining book on the fall of the Soviet Union.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this book quite melodramatic in style, and kept thinking it was overdoing the drama, and yet what more dramatic geopolitical crisis could be imagined? The personal dimension of the crisis, in particular the simmering hatred between Gorbachov and Yeltsin, is highlighted by O'Clery's approach. It seems perfectly possible that Yeltsin in particular would be so foolish as to destroy an entire country and its legacy in order satisfy himself that he had humiliated his nemesis. That this was what was required gives some idea of the scale of Yeltsin's task, and of course, its futility. Gorbachov will always seem to the world the greater figure, and there was never anything Yeltsin could do about that. It also explains why Yeltsin, so isolated from the complexities of international politics or competent administration, could be as reckless as he was: episodes in the book indicate all too clearly his lack of responsibility and understanding of the exigencies of statesmanship that should have served as a warning. From major events, like plotting with the other republic leaders in a Belarussian forest, to petty ones, like accusing the outgoing President of stealing the inkwells, the disaster that would become the Yeltsin presidency was already nascent.
Of course, Gorbachev helped him enormously, and this is plain in the book. His vanity and egoism may have been suited to a reforming General Secretary, but he certainly lacked the common touch. By failing to make trusting connections with his inner circle, let alone the Soviet public, he created the resentment and instability that led to the coup, and eventually to his post-presidential isolation. O'Clery does not spare him, and the pathos of the resignation and its aftermath are all the more shocking given that had his decision-making been wiser and his trust in the public surer, it may have turned out quite differently.
That it was ever thus in Russia is something all Russophiles already know. But the melodrama was filled with plenty of other stuff too, and not just two old Communists tearing strips of each other, but this is mostly omitted from an account that focusses on what, for the media, would always be the personal way they would tell the story. There were other forces at work as well, a demand for democracy, economic imperatives, the impact of communications technology in filling out the world-view of Soviet citizens and the plunging commodity prices that really did for the Soviet Union: these all get relegated for some lurid storytelling of the headline grabbing variety.
The third character in the book is the Western media, who are celebrated as the only ones who really understood what was going on. This is probably a result of O'Clery's professional view, and it is significantly overplayed. When Gorbachov's resignation finally came, the Soviet Union had already been dead for some time. The indifference shown by average Russian citizens seems to have shocked CNN and O'Clery alike, but really shouldn't have. When your nation has only a choice between high vanity and foolhardy recklessness, it reflects the poverty of your political system, and you are best out of it.
Of course, Gorbachev helped him enormously, and this is plain in the book. His vanity and egoism may have been suited to a reforming General Secretary, but he certainly lacked the common touch. By failing to make trusting connections with his inner circle, let alone the Soviet public, he created the resentment and instability that led to the coup, and eventually to his post-presidential isolation. O'Clery does not spare him, and the pathos of the resignation and its aftermath are all the more shocking given that had his decision-making been wiser and his trust in the public surer, it may have turned out quite differently.
That it was ever thus in Russia is something all Russophiles already know. But the melodrama was filled with plenty of other stuff too, and not just two old Communists tearing strips of each other, but this is mostly omitted from an account that focusses on what, for the media, would always be the personal way they would tell the story. There were other forces at work as well, a demand for democracy, economic imperatives, the impact of communications technology in filling out the world-view of Soviet citizens and the plunging commodity prices that really did for the Soviet Union: these all get relegated for some lurid storytelling of the headline grabbing variety.
The third character in the book is the Western media, who are celebrated as the only ones who really understood what was going on. This is probably a result of O'Clery's professional view, and it is significantly overplayed. When Gorbachov's resignation finally came, the Soviet Union had already been dead for some time. The indifference shown by average Russian citizens seems to have shocked CNN and O'Clery alike, but really shouldn't have. When your nation has only a choice between high vanity and foolhardy recklessness, it reflects the poverty of your political system, and you are best out of it.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is great reading. Fast paced and easily read, it at times reads like a thriller. Full of insights into the characters and motivations of the key players in the drama of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the author clearly explains the events and the contexts in which Yeltsin and Gorbachev were operating.
Gorbachev, who wanted to preserve, though hugely reform, the Soviet Union, and Yeltsin, who wanted to usher in a full market economy and his idea of democracy as soon as possible, are shown as full characters, with attractive qualities, and clear weaknesses. Their personal motivations, and mutual loathing certainly effected events and the outcome, but probably not as much as the fact that the Soviet Union was bankrupt and beyond saving.
I have read several books about Russian and Soviet history and this is one of the best and most enjoyable. Highly recommended
Gorbachev, who wanted to preserve, though hugely reform, the Soviet Union, and Yeltsin, who wanted to usher in a full market economy and his idea of democracy as soon as possible, are shown as full characters, with attractive qualities, and clear weaknesses. Their personal motivations, and mutual loathing certainly effected events and the outcome, but probably not as much as the fact that the Soviet Union was bankrupt and beyond saving.
I have read several books about Russian and Soviet history and this is one of the best and most enjoyable. Highly recommended
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was looking forward to learning more about this episode in recent history from a respected journalist who was in Moscow at the time. I gave up reading about page 36 because the book is written almost entirely in the present tense. I find this style intensely irritating and affected.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Moscow December 25th 1991
An excellent book and purchase. Item received in a timely manner and in new condition. Would deal again with seller.
Published 7 months ago by Loreburn
Wonderful insight into fall of the Soviet Union
Fabulous account of last days of the Soviet Union. Did not think I would be so interested in the events of this momentous day ... actually a day that changed our lives forever. Read more
Published 8 months ago by sylvia
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