'As the collection proceeds, the reader gets a real sense of the USSRs accumulating problems To relate coherently such a complex history in documents, as Richard Sawka has done in this valuable book, is a fine achievement.' - Murray Frame, The Journal of the History Association'Sakwa has done students of Soviet politics a service by bringing together such an eclectic and fascinating collection its merits are many the breadth of knowledge of sources and the author's historical perspective make the text an extremely valuable one.' - Political Studies

• Series editor’s preface, Glossary, Acknowledgements, Introduction, 1. The Rise of Bolshevism, 2. 1917: From Revolution to Revolution, 3. The Birth of the Soviet State, 1917–1921, 4. The Paths Diverge, 1921–1929, 5. Building Socialism, 1929–1939, 6. The Road to Berlin, 1939–1945, 7. The Cold Peace, 1945–1953, 8. Khrushchev and Reform, 1953–1964, 9. Brezhnev and Stagnation, 1964–1985, 10. Crisis and Fall of the Soviet System, 1985–1991, Further Reading, Bibliography, Index