Zusatztext Last of the Empires is filled with interest information gathered from a very broad range of sources which Keep recounts and analyses in a thoroughly professional manner ... judicious and well-informed work. Informationen zum Autor John Keep has studied and lectured in Russian History for many years. He was a research assistant with the Foreign Office from 1953 to 1954, a lecturer in Modern Russian History at the University of London between 1954 and 1966, and Reader in Russian Studies there from 1966 to 1970. In 1964 he became a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, and he was Professor of Russian History at the University of Toronto between 1970 and 1988. He has now retired. Klappentext Described as 'one of the most tragic human experiences in human history', the Soviet Union as an empire holds much intrigue and fascination for the Western world. It held unquestionable status as an empire, with its coverage of over 100 nationalities. Its status as the 'Last of the Empires' depends on what the future may hold, but any future 'empires' will undoubtedly be based on intellectual and institutional foundations far different from those developed during the Soviet era. Here John Keep presents the narrative history of the USSR, from the last years of Stalin, to the checkered fate of Gorbachev's reform policies, and the ultimate collapse of the empire under manifold centrifugal pressures. Focusing upon political, economic, social, and cultural developments, the book is divided into four parts: the last years of Stalin; Nikita Krushchev's abortive attempts to reform Communist rule; the years 1964-1985, covered largely by Breshnev's long tenure of power; and lastly Gorbachev's abortive attempts to promote a reformed, 'democratic', communism. Zusammenfassung Focusing upon political, economic, social and cultural developments, this history of the USSR is divided into four parts: Stalin's final years; Nikita Krushchev's attempts to reform communist rule; the years 1964-1985, largely Breshnev's tenure; and Gorbachev's attempts at a "democratic" communism. Inhaltsverzeichnis List of TablesMapsIntroductionI. The Dark AgesII. Hope Frustrated3: Civilizing Soviet Government4: Reorienting the Economy5: Priority for the Village6: The Rebirth of Conscience7: The National MosaicIII. Civil Society Resurgent9: The Lubianka and the Kremlin10: The Party in Disarray11: An Economy in Trouble12: Agrarian and Environmental Dilemmas13: Social Breakdown, cultural Renovation14: The Russian National Movement15: The Restless EmpireIV. The Empire Cracks Up17: Revolution from Below18: NemesisAfterwordNotesBibliographyGlossaryIndex...

Autorentext

John Keep has studied and lectured in Russian History for many years. He was a research assistant with the Foreign Office from 1953 to 1954, a lecturer in Modern Russian History at the University of London between 1954 and 1966, and Reader in Russian Studies there from 1966 to 1970. In 1964 he became a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, and he was Professor of Russian History at the University of Toronto between 1970 and 1988. He has now retired.

Klappentext

Described as 'one of the most tragic human experiences in human history', the Soviet Union as an empire holds much intrigue and fascination for the Western world. It held unquestionable status as an empire, with its coverage of over 100 nationalities. Its status as the 'Last of the Empires' depends on what the future may hold, but any future 'empires' will undoubtedly be based on intellectual and institutional foundations far different from those developed during the Soviet era. Here John Keep presents the narrative history of the USSR, from the last years of Stalin, to the checkered fate of Gorbachev's reform policies, and the ultimate collapse of the empire under manifold centrifugal pressures. Focusing upon political, economic, social, and cultural developments, the book is divided into four parts: the last years of Stalin; Nikita Krushchev's abortive attempts to reform Communist rule; the years 1964-1985, covered largely by Breshnev's long tenure of power; and lastly Gorbachev's abortive attempts to promote a reformed, 'democratic', communism.

Zusammenfassung
Focusing upon political, economic, social and cultural developments, this history of the USSR is divided into four parts: Stalin's final years; Nikita Krushchev's attempts to reform communist rule; the years 1964-1985, largely Breshnev's tenure; and Gorbachev's attempts at a "democratic" communism.

Inhalt

• List of Tables
• Maps
• Introduction
• I. The Dark Ages
• II. Hope Frustrated
• 3: Civilizing Soviet Government
• 4: Reorienting the Economy
• 5: Priority for the Village
• 6: The Rebirth of Conscience
• 7: The National Mosaic
• III. Civil Society Resurgent
• 9: The Lubianka and the Kremlin
• 10: The Party in Disarray
• 11: An Economy in Trouble
• 12: Agrarian and Environmental Dilemmas
• 13: Social Breakdown, cultural Renovation
• 14: The Russian National Movement
• 15: The Restless Empire
• IV. The Empire Cracks Up
• 17: Revolution from Below
• 18: Nemesis
• Afterword
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Index