The August Coup: The Truth and the Lessons

The Soviet President looks at the causes of the August coup attempt, including his own mistakes, describes his personal experiences during his captivity, and explains what direction the Soviet Union must take

This quickly written account of events between August 18 and 22, 1991 does not merely repeat the news accounts of what happened but offers an inside interpretation of why the coup occurred (reactionary forces were unable to break away from the past) and why it eventually failed (necessary popular support never developed). Lessons learned were the need to continue on course of constitutional and democratic reform. Finally, Gorbachev discusses the Union of Sovereign States he had proposed and the needed economic union. Through the soul-searching reflection emerges a man committed to the ideals of both socialism and democracy who has lost his hope of ever reforming the Communist party. Worthwhile and sure to be in demand.
-Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.