Mikhail Gorbachev (World Leaders Past and Present)

An illustrated biography of the Soviet leader who came to power in 1985.

Grade 8 Up This book offers much information about the most prominent man in the USSR. A chronological account of his rise to power, it is also a very good overview of the governmental system in the USSR, problems since the 1930s, and changes wrought by world events and changing leadership in that period. Quotes from many sources embellish the margins; the black-and-white illustrations are clear and interesting; the format is attractive. However, the reading level is high at times: ``The adversarial nature that Soviet communism acquired during its formative years''; and although at times the tone seems gratuitously anti-Soviet, it is a fair, accurate, and timely assessment. If allowance is made for this, the book is a mine of information, right up to the Geneva conference, and is accessible through an index and a chronology with a short bibliography. Ann Donovan, Central Washington University, Ellensburg
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.