Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?: Understanding Historical Change

by Robert W. Strayer

Release Date: April, 1998

Edition: Paperback

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One of the most important events of the late 20th century

Robert Strayer does a wonderful job of communicating the changes in the Soviet Union, and the Communist Bloc, and foreshadwoing the eventual downfall of the role of communism. Strayer sets up the thesis of the book with a fairly in depth history of the Soviet Union following WWII, broken down by Presidents of the USSR. It is interesting to follow the major changes which occurred mainly at the powerful hands of the Soviet leaders during the Cold War. It is also very interesting to see such a silent, yet inevitably deadly, political pattern emerging -- hindsight is 20/20. This book is a great look at one of the most massive political changes in the 20th century.

Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?

How did the Communists keep everyone under their thumb for 70 years? Actually, the trick was to let a tier in society have more absolute power than all the tsars put together & let them get away with murder, repression & deportation by the political millions. The demise of the USSR illustrates a large historical pattern - the process by which all human societies change, sometimes slow & unobtrusive, sometimes with the speed & impact of revolution. Good questions & some curious answers. Bit of a slog! Well worth the read, however! ....................