Perils of Perestroika: Viewpoints from the Soviet Press, 1989-1991

The intitial euphoria felt worldwide as a result of Mikhail Gorbachev’s plans to restructure Soviet society Perestroika quickly faded. As Soviet citizens struggled with obtaining basic supplies in an impoverished nation, and as republics declared independence, the Kremlin faced daunting challenges. These translations of 33 articles allow us to see recent developments in the former USSR from diverse points of view. A useful sequel to Dr. Tarasulo’s Gorbachev and Glasnost , this volume gives the reader a view of the unprecedented metamorphosis of this country. The authors include not only journalists but also Boris Yeltsin and the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Interviews with Andre Sakharov Yegor Ligachev, Gorbachev’s one-time opponent in the Politburo, round out the collection. Dr. Tarasulo has also written a brief introduction for each article, placing its argument in context.