The Russia Hand : A Memoir of Presidential Diplomacy

by Strobe Talbott

Release Date: 13 May, 2003

Edition: Paperback

Price:

More Info

Its NOT only the economy (um, stupid :)

I actually read this book to be able to write this review, having happened upon this page while surfing the net. Being an avid reader of anything on Russia, I had seen the book several times on the shelf at my local bookstore, but had passed it by, for no particular reason other than not being a fan of the previous administration. I am glad I did read it though, Talbott is both a serious student of Russia and former policy maker from the US side of the negotiating table. His long time friendship with Clinton, and his previous career as a journalist provide an intimate view into the workings of the administration, and some front row observations of the tumultuous Russian post-Soviet period. Most interestingly, he gives a personal perspective and look into the minds and souls of the principle protagonists of the story--Boris Yeltsin and Bill Clinton.

I cannot out-wonk the wonks, but I will give my own homegrown analysis of the period. Undoubltedly, the difficult transition would have been full of pitfalls no matter whose watch it was on. To me, the tragedy of the US's policy was not that it perhaps failed to provide adequate answers or help in the admittedly enormous problem of the transfer from a command economy to a market based one, as Talbott muses at one point in his analysis. The principal problem was to recapture the Russian soul, which had lain dormant in the materialistic totalitarian state. While the US can only do so much to get the Russians to "eat their spinach" as Talbott puts it, we can and must do everything we can to foster freedom of conscience, of the dignity of the human person, and human rights, in its deepest sense. In this post 9-11 world of election mishaps and corporate malfeasance, maybe we could use a dish or two of the green stuff ourselves.

Dealing with Russia after the Cold War

Strobe Talbott's The Russia Hand is a comprehensive insider account of US relations with an emerging democratic Russian after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The book is also an explicit record of how diplomacy actually works.

I highly recommend this book for an insight and review of American FP in the 1990s.Talbott provides insights into the particulars of the many negotiations and personal bonds (or channels) that transpired between these two former foes. Talbott explores the numerous problems that divided the US and the new Russian Republic in the 1990s; including NATO enlargement, national missile defense, adapting to capitalism and democracy, wars of the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo.

This book makes great reading. Not only is it a definitive political text - it's funny! Through a motley cast of characters (Bill Clinton, Yeltsin, various negotiators) and the events that they survived Talbott gives a diplomatic thriller an air of high comedy. At times Talbott's depiction Boris Yeltsin borders on caricature.

To sum it all up, I am positive that anyone interested in Foreign Policy, IR, history, or even an unfortunate student looking for a subject for a book review will highly enjoy The Russia Hand. This book is a necessary read for those who wish to understand how the high-stakes game of diplomacy works in practice. And the account is delievered by one of the major players - Strobe Talbott.