Eternal Russia: Yeltsin, Gorbachev, and the Mirage of Democracy

by Jonathan Steele

Release Date: July, 1998

Edition: Hardcover

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An excellent overview of Russia's coups

Before I came to Russia, most of what I knew of the tumultuous events that took place here in the late 1980s and early 1990s was pieced together from bold newspaper headlines, confused Newsweek reports, and hastily tacked-on addendums to high school history books. Upon my arrival here, I was determined to find out more about the events that remained so blurry in my mind, even a decade later.

I found Steele's Eternal Russia on sale at a nearby bookshop. It caught my attention with its bright red cover and torn photograph of Gorbachev and Yeltsin poking their fingers in each other's faces during what was obviously one of many heated moments between the two. Before I had even finished the introduction, I was already grateful to the author for finally providing me with a considerably clearer account of all that happened to bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union and the laying of the foundation for the Russian Federation.

Steele was the longtime Moscow Bureau Chief for London's Guardian newspaper, and bases his book on research, interviews, and personal experiences. The book was first published in 1995, which means that many of the events had only recently happened. But what the book is lacking in long-term perspective it makes up for in its stirring here-and-now descriptions of the challenges that faced the Russian leaders and people during this period of change.

At times, Steele delves a little bit too deeply into Russian history in his attempts to explain the roots of Russian leadership methods. His extensive analysis (demonstrating a superb knowledge) of key political players and strategies is fascinating, as long as you can muster the brainpower to understand its dizzying logic.

The highlights of Steele's book include: a fast-paced account of the 1991 coup attempt as well as a thorough sifting-through of the aftermath; an easy-to-understand explanation of the privatization financial crises; and a narrative account of the October 1993 attack on the Russian White House.

This book is a great source of information for anyone who wants to find out more about Russia's history.