Shadows and Whispers: Power Politics Inside the Kremlin from Brezhnev to Gorbachev

Doder, Dusko

ISBN 10: 0394549988 / ISBN 13: 9780394549989

Published by Random House, 1986

About this Item

Size: 9.5x 6", 339 pages. Red cloth with gilt lettering on the spine. Short note and signed on pre-title page. Author was Moscow Bureau Chief of the Washington Post from 1981 to 1985.

Seller Inventory # 000496

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Shadows and Whispers: Power Politics Inside the Kremlin from Brezhnev to Gorbachev
• Publisher: Random House
• Publication Date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0394549988
• ISBN 13: 9780394549989
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

The former, long-time Moscow bureau chief for the "Washington Post" details the Kremlin intrigues, infights, and maneuvers of the early 1980s that culminated in the selection of Gorbachev as Communist Party general secretary

Reviews

As Moscow bureau chief for the Washington Post, Doder observed the "series of embarrassingly feeble old men" during the Brezhnev-to-Andropov-to-Chernenko transitions that led to the emergence of Mikhail Gorbachev. He describes how Andropov, moving into the vacuum created by Brezhnev's physical decline, won the ensuing power struggle with Chernenko (and pushed forward Gorbachev and other younger men who have since unseated many of the old guard) only to be replaced 15 months later by Chernenko, who in his turn lived only 13 more months. Doder provides a comprehensive account of Gorbachev's background and rise to power, plus an incisive review of his first year in power. The book is notable for its objectivity: Doder writes, "I have tried to look at the Soviet Union on its own terms." Photos. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.