The Awakening of the Soviet Union: Enlarged Edition / Edition 2

by Geoffrey Hosking

Overview

Geoffrey Hosking, one of the world’s preeminent scholars of Russian history, provides a unique perspective on the rapid changes the country experienced in the late 1980s. Other books have focused on the political changes that took place under Gorbachev; Hosking’s lively analysis illuminates the social, cultural, and historical developments that created the need—and openness—for sweeping political and economic change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674055513
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	09/01/1991
Edition description:	Enlarged Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Geoffrey Hosking is Emeritus Professor of Russian History at University College London.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Enlarged Edition

Preface to the First Edition

1. A Great Power in Crisis

2. Communities and Ideals in Russian Society

3. The Return of the Repressed

4. A Civil Society in Embryo

5. The Flawed Melting Pot

6. Religion and the Atheist State

7. The Paradox of Gorbachev's Reforms

8. From 'Informals' to Political Parties

9. Towards the Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Conclusion

Notes

Index

Editorial Reviews

The Awakening of the Soviet Union does more to help English speakers understand these changes than any of the dozens of books on the subject published in the past five years.

The Nation - Anthony Astrachan

Geoffrey Hosking has…produced a series of almost timeless essays on the deeper currents of change and reform within the Soviet system.

Martin Walker Book World

Among the most enlightening and informative accounts of what has already been one of the most amazing peaceful revolutions in modern times… [A] fine study.

Adam B. Ulam

The most useful and reliable guide to the chaos of the current Soviet Union… [Hosking’s] grasp of the overall picture of the Soviet Union and of its history is solid and uncluttered.

The Economist

Geoffrey Hosking has…produced a series of almost timeless essays on the deeper currents of change and reform within the Soviet system.

Washington Post Book World - Martin Walker

Geoffrey Hosking has...produced a series of almost timeless essays on the deeper currents of change and reform within the Soviet system.
— Martin Walker

Washington Post Book World

Among the most enlightening and informative accounts of what has already been one of the most amazing peaceful revolutions in modern times...[A] fine study.
— Adam B. Ulam

New York Times Book Review

The Awakening of the Soviet Union does more to help English speakers understand these changes than any of the dozens of books on the subject published in the past five years.
— Anthony Astrachan

The Nation

Among the most enlightening and informative accounts of what has already been one of the most amazing peaceful revolutions in modern times...[A] fine study.

New York Times Book Review - Adam B. Ulam

The whirring sound heard coming from the Soviet Union these days is that of chickens coming home to roost. Hosking's book, expanded from his 1988 BBC Reith Lectures, is a timely, expert, and highly readable analysis of the current problems facing Gorbachev, how they got to be so acute, and what Gorbachev might, or can, do about them. Hosking makes clear Gorbachev's huge dilemma. The environment, the past, religion, consumer goods, nationalities--all clamor for immediate, radical redress. Can the charismatic leader prod his huge leviathan to democracy by undemocratic means? Does he even want to? Hosking is cautious but ends on a faintly optimistic note. This book is an excellent account of contemporary Soviet difficulties and prospects.For a complementary work, see also O.S. Ioffe's Gorbachev's Dilemma , reviewed in this issue, below.--Ed. -- R.H. Johnston, McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario

Library Journal

Based on the Reith Lectures delivered for the BBC in the autumn of 1988, Hosking (Russian history, U. of London) provides a refreshing perspective that focuses less on the political changes under Gorbachev than on the social, cultural, and historical developments that created a need for--and openness to--political and economic change. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews