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Dismantling Utopia: How Information Ended the Soviet Union

by Scott Shane

Dismantling Utopia: How Information Ended the Soviet Union Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A brilliant and original account of how Gorbachev's easing of information controls destroyed the illusions of communism and drove the Soviet system to ruin. Shane writes with such bracing authority, such startling insight, that Dismantling Utopia must be regarded as one of the essential works on the fall of the Soviet Union. --Jonathan Kirsch, Los Angeles Times

Review:

"A critical book to understanding the era....Shane tells the story with grace, sympathy, and intelligence." David Remnick

Review:

"What did the people know, and when did they know it? Probing these questions, Shane — who from 1988 spent 39 months as the Baltimore Sun 's Russian bureau chief — shows how information technology doomed the Bolshevik experiment....Although the events he relates are familiar, Shane's perspective is fresh and instructive." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Rich in human interest details....Shane covers the process in Soviet literature, film, music, TV, and even stand-up comedy, as well as journalism. Some key events, like Chernobyl, are missing, but otherwise this highly readable volume is exemplary for putting the story into a historical framework while skillfully conveying the drama of its unfolding." Library Journal

Synopsis:

A brilliant and original account of how Gorbachev's casing of information controls destroyed the illusions of communism and drove the Soviet system to ruin.

Synopsis:

Dismantling Utopia is Scott Shane's brilliant and original account of how Mikhail Gorbachev tried to "renew socialism" by easing information controls - and how the new freedom enjoyed by newspapers, TV, books, films, videotapes, and the popular culture destroyed the illusions of communism and drove the Soviet system to ruin. On the scene in Moscow as correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, Shane witnessed firsthand how Gorbachev's experiment produced a revolution that proved fatal to his party, his government, and his own political career. Shane's compellingly readable story is filled with memorable characters, revealing vignettes, and striking statistics.

Description:

Includes bibliographical references (p. 293-304) and index.

Product Details

ISBN:
9781566630993
Subtitle:
How Information Ended the Soviet Union
Author:
Shane, Scott
Publisher:
Ivan R. Dee Publisher
Location:
Chicago :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Sociology - General
Subject:
Communism & Socialism
Subject:
Russia (pre & post Soviet Union)
Subject:
Soviet Union
Subject:
Humanism
Subject:
Freedom of information
Subject:
Communication policy.
Subject:
Soviet Union Politics and government 1985-1991.
Subject:
Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union
Subject:
Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism
Subject:
Soviet Union Politics and government.
Subject:
Communication policy -- Soviet Union.
Edition Description:
1st Elephant paperback ed.
Series Volume:
99
Publication Date:
August 1995
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
335
Dimensions:
8.48x5.54x.89 in. .83 lbs.

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