The Dark Side of the Earth : How the Soviet Union Collapsed but Remained - A Times Book of the Year

Mikhail Zygar

ISBN 10: 139960905X / ISBN 13: 9781399609050

Published by Orion Publishing Co Nov 2025, 2025

About this Item

Neuware - A TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAROn April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union begins its countdown. From the steppes of Kazakhstan, the first human - Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin - launches into space.In that moment, another countdown begins. How could it be that a single generation - just three decades - would separate the USSR's crowning achievement from the collapse of the Soviet empire More than a history lesson, The Dark Side of the Earth is a testament to the enduring fight for truth and freedom. In pursuit of the real story, renowned Kremlin opponent Mikhail Zygar ('one of Russia's smartest and best-sourced young journalists' - New York Times) gathered witness statements of jaw-dropping candour from hundreds of key players: the last first secretaries and first presidents of the post-Soviet republics, the leaders of independence movements, Western politicians and diplomats, and Mikhail Gorbachev himself, not to mention dozens of scientists, authors, film directors, aspiring rockstars and ordinary men and women who for a time became the accidental protagonists of history. The end of the USSR set the stage for today's vengeful return. But as Gagarin looked down from the stars at his home world, was Russia's fate already written.

Seller Inventory # 9781399609050

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Dark Side of the Earth : How the Soviet Union Collapsed but Remained - A Times Book of the Year
• Publisher: Orion Publishing Co Nov 2025
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 139960905X
• ISBN 13: 9781399609050
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 245W x 158H x 50D millimeters 245 millimeters width by 158 millimeters height by 50 millimeters depth
• Weight: 820 grams

About this title

Synopsis

A TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR

On April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union begins its countdown. From the steppes of Kazakhstan, the first human - Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin - launches into space.

In that moment, another countdown begins. How could it be that a single generation - just three decades - would separate the USSR's crowning achievement from the collapse of the Soviet empire?

More than a history lesson, The Dark Side of the Earth is a testament to the enduring fight for truth and freedom. In pursuit of the real story, renowned Kremlin opponent Mikhail Zygar ('one of Russia's smartest and best-sourced young journalists' - New York Times) gathered witness statements of jaw-dropping candour from hundreds of key players: the last first secretaries and first presidents of the post-Soviet republics, the leaders of independence movements, Western politicians and diplomats, and Mikhail Gorbachev himself, not to mention dozens of scientists, authors, film directors, aspiring rockstars and ordinary men and women who for a time became the accidental protagonists of history.

The end of the USSR set the stage for today's vengeful return. But as Gagarin looked down from the stars at his home world, was Russia's fate already written?

About the Author

Mikhail Zygar was the founding editor-in-chief of Russia's only independent news TV channel, Dozhd, which gave a platform to opposition voices. He won the International Press Freedom Award in 2014. He is the author of War and Punishment, The Empire Must Die, and All the Kremlin's Men, a #1 bestseller in Russia that has been translated into over twenty languages and was called one of 'nine books that can help you understand Russia right now' by Time.