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A Failed Empire

The Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev

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A Failed Empire

By: Vladimir Zubok
Narrated by: Nick Sullivan
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About this listen

Western interpretations of the Cold War - both realist and neoconservative - have erred by exaggerating either the Kremlin's pragmatism or its aggressiveness, argues Vladislav Zubok. Explaining the interests, aspirations, illusions, fears, and misperceptions of the Kremlin leaders and Soviet elites, Zubok offers a Soviet perspective on the greatest standoff of the 20th century.

©2007 Vladislav M. Zubok (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Americas Politics & Government Russia United States World War Imperialism Self-Determination Military Cold War Eastern Europe American Foreign Policy Thought-Provoking Stalin Vietnam War Interwar Period

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Critic reviews

"Ranks as the new standard work on the Soviet Union's Cold War - for scholars and students alike.... An excellent combination of old and new, offering both a synthetic interpretation of Soviet foreign policy in the latter half of the twentieth century and fresh new material to reconceptualize the factors behind that policy.... An important book [and] a standout." ( Journal of American History)
All stars
Most relevant  
Excellent analysis of this incredible period of Russian/Soviet history. The narrator was also excellent. I recommend this book to any student of this period.

Brilliant writing of history

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Zubok's Failed Empire finds itself in a fine company of similar works, with no less than two similar works immediately springing to mind, Comrades and The End of the Cold War by the esteemed Robert Service accounting for a similar timeline and events. However, Zubok's work provides insight and analysis not to be found in other works, making it a standout title.
The book follows a chronological account of the post WWII USSR and its satellite states and allies in Eastern Europe, the Far East and various outposts in the developing world, along with the dynamics within society.
While it may appear like a chronological account, great attention is given to the decision making process, motivations and factors within each decision or misadventure by the Soviet elite.
The work is most definitely not a journalistic piece, with analysis of personalities and motivations throughout the book.
A key strength is the penultimate chapter detailing Gorbachev's tenure and the ultimately unsuccessful attempts to reform the USSR leading to its eventual collapse.
Zubok breaks with the standard narrative of presenting Gorbachev as a hapless victim of History, and provides analysis that postulates Gorbachev's approach to be ultimately naïve, as hoc and ultimately contradictory.
Perhaps not a book for diehard defenders of Soviet communism as one is left with little hope that the system could have been saved by the most adept reformer, however one is given a sense of gratitude in the epilogue that force was not used in an attempt to hold the Union together.
A more balanced and analytical approach when compared with other works out there, with considerable scholarship not found elsewhere. Perhaps the best overall comprehensive book I have read on the Cold War, strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in modern Russia or International Relations.

Best overall panorama and analysis of the Cold War

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this is a period of time that interests me greatly and though I have read many books about individual characters and events, as well as overviews of the subject, this book has been by far the best yet. very good research and in depth detailed information on the leadership and policy decisions of all the Soviet governments from Stalin to Gorbachev and beyond. no problem at all with the narrator, he seemed to cope with Russian names okay.

excellent detailed account

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Being somewhat interested in the Cold War and soviet history I thought that I would "chance my arm" and see what this book would bring. I was not disappointed. A very well researched book which provides a behind the iron curtain insight into the era of brinkmanship behind the public face of both US and Soviet politics during the period described in the title.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its narrator, who does the writing justice, listening for hours on end it made me switch the tv off over Christmas.

A well written and compelling history of a period which to most European people of my age (42) will provide insight into the tension that led us all to live in fear of nuclear attack. It also provides a realisation of how financial pressure and political reform ended the Soviet Unions pretence to empire and ultimately the end of Soviet Communism.

Listened to twice and now on my third listen, this is simply because I enjoy it and there is a vast amount of information contained within, I will definitely be back to listen maybe three or four times a year.

Armchair history buffs this book is for you!

Soviet Cold War History in an understandable form.

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A very informative account of Cold War soviet affairs I enjoyed it more then I thought I would

Enjoyed it!

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A very insightful book that gives a very nuanced look at the Soviet side of the Cold War.
Usually you mainly hear the American side of the story.
Highly recommended.

The Cold War in a new light

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...Focusing almost completely on the actions of the four post war General Secretaries.

Well read and reasonably interesting, but focuses far too much on diplomatic failings of Stalin et al. Next to no information on the failings of the Soviet system itself, and the experiences of individual Soviet citizens.

The fall of an empire of 300 million ...

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This book gives a great insight into the often neglected timeframe between the end of the monumental struggle of the Soviet Union against Natzism through the Cold War and the fall of the USSR. in order to understand what is happening in todays Russia this book gives a great foundation.

Fascinating History of this much neglected timeframe.

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I have long wondered about the Soviet Union and how it might have been to live there in the post war period. This book has not covered how it was for the ordinary average citizen. Although that wasn’t the point, rather than the political developments on the world scale, the book would have been enhanced by a few chapters relating to socio/economic life of ordinary citizens. However,overall it was a brilliant historical account by the author. I particularly liked his summary of the Gorbachev years.

The demystification of the soviet experiment

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This is a fascinating book, on an exciting topic, but I struggled to keep listening because of the flat, robotic and seemingly bored voice of the reader.

Good book let down by robot reader.

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