Russia and the Independent States - Hardcover

Congressional Quarterly has revised its very useful The Soviet Union (1990. 3d ed.) to reflect developments to mid-1992. Part 1 traces Russian and Soviet history (primarily 19th and 20th century) through the August 1991 coup and Mikhail Gorbachev's subsequent resignation. Feature boxes highlight interesting personalities. Part 2 covers the new Commonwealth of Independent States, particularly its defenses, economy, and foreign relations. Part 3 profiles the newly independent republics individually. There is a minimum of statistical information; a thorough index facilitates finding specifics. A bibliography of recent Western works in English lists well-chosen sources for those needing more in-depth material. Recommended as a good survey for those needing a beginning point. Twining's book, called The New Eurasia in paperback, is misnamed. It is not a guidebook in the usual sense but a chronology of recent events in the Commonwealth of Independent States, covering the period 1988 to late 1992. Based on press reports (U.S. newspapers plus translation services for the CIS press), it offers no analysis and is extraordinarily dull to read. The author's apparent thesis, that the geopolitical realities of the Eurasia landmass have changed forever, is inadequately developed and overwhelmed by the flood of details presented. Chapters on the individual republics offer little beyond their respective paths to independence and a brief summary of remaining territorial disputes. The work will soon become outdated by subsequent events. Not recommended.
- Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.