Gorbachev

SHORTLISTED FOR THE PUSHKIN HOUSE BOOK PRIZE 2018From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Khrushchev: The Man and his Era, the most comprehensive portrait of the former Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, who died on 30 August 2022. 'A phenomenally researched life of the man who did more than any other to change Europe and the world in the last half of the 20th century' Jonathan Steele, Guardian ‘Impressive… full of fascinating detail’ Peter Conradi, Sunday Times 'Superb…an extraordinary story of one man and history in a tense wrestling match’ Washington Post This is the definitive biography on one of the most important and controversial figures of the 20th century. Drawing on interviews with Gorbachev himself, transcripts and documents from the Russian archives, and interviews with Kremlin aides and adversaries, as well as foreign leaders, Taubman’s intensely personal portrait extends to Gorbachev’s remarkable marriage to a woman he deeply loved, and to the family that they raised together. Nuanced and poignant, yet unsparing and honest, this sweeping account has all the drama of a great Russian novel. When Mikhail Gorbachev became its leader in March 1985, the USSR was still one of the world’s two superpowers. By the end of his tenure six years later, the Communist system was dismantled, the cold war was over and, on 25 December 1991, the Soviet Union itself ceased to exist. While not solely responsible for this remarkable upheaval, he set decisive changes in motion. Assessments of Gorbachev could not be more polarised. In the West, he is regarded as a hero. In Russia, he is widely hated by those who blame him for the collapse of the USSR. Admirers marvel at this vision and courage. Detractors, including many of his Kremlin comrades, have accused him of everything from naivete to treason.

‘William Taubman has now done for Gorbachev what he had previously done for Khrushchev, giving us the full life deeply grounded in the Soviet and Russian archives, here with the added benefit of Gorbachev’s complete cooperation. Perhaps a hundred years from now, when our perspective on Russia’s role in the world has further clarified, another biography will be needed. For now, however, Gorbachev is the closest thing to the final word that history allows.’, ‘This is a meticulously researched, carefully nuanced and immensely readable biography of a remarkable, but insufficiently understood, twentieth century political leader. Taubman’s book is destined to remain the fullest and most authoritative life of Gorbachev for years to come.’, ‘Nobody before Taubman has achieved an in-depth psychological portrait…what made Gorbachev tick, as a man and a leader, has always been hooded in speculation…A highly readable, reliable and accurate work, one that will be used by all future generations of historians…  This monumental biography will become the standard personal portrait, especially of the years before Gorbachev became party secretary.  Taubman has charmed more out of him than any of his subordinates ever managed to.’ , ‘Impressive… full of fascinating detail.’, ‘Comprehensive and immensely readable.’

William Taubman is Bertrand Snell Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Amherst College.  His 2003 book, Khrushchev: The  Man and his Era, won both the Pulitzer Prize for biography and the National Book Critics Circle Award for biography in 2004.  Taubman has been the President of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, and chairs the Advisory Committee of the Cold War International History Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington.