The Soviet Colossus 7th Edition

Recommended as an introductory examination upon the paradox that was the Soviet Union. I think this work should have touched a bit on the fundamental problems of industry (covered in a few paragraphs in Castell's 'End of Millennium) and of the regime's constant struggle with the intelligentsia.I acknowledge that an attempt to document the USSR in a single volume is a formidable task. In making this book friendly to a non-scholar decisive events are mixed with colorful anecdotes and occasional moralizing. (I think most of us do not need to be reminded that the deaths of 20 million people is bad thing.)A quick read but ultimately I could not find anything in the book to use in my 300 and 400-level Soviet history courses at university.

Bravo Mr. Kort! This was a delightful book to read. This book is accessible to everyone without it having been watered down. The sentences are clear and elegant; I was able to read effortlessly throughout the whole text. I did not detect any biases from the author and he seemed fair and accurate all the way through. Factually, the book is in sync with other books with related or similar subjects that I have happened to read. I bought a copy of the 5th edition (2001) and I wonder if it is still being updated. The story is riveting. Michael Kort rendered a masterpiece with this book.

I teach a course in Russian Politics and plan to assign this as our principle text. Kort manages to bring new insights to a subject that I have been studying for years in the most readable form I have encountered yet.

I love the details and the historical accuracy in this book. It has helped me a lot especially for those who are taking the DSST exam. If you like pictures, I would check out the "Faces of a Nation: The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, 1917-1991" but don't rely on that book alone as it is not as detailed compared to this but you can check out (if you like pictures with details) "Just the Facts: World History: The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union" DVD. Best of luck!

Great book, very good condition and as advertised.

If you need a comprehensive overview of the tsarist Russia/Soviet Union/post-collapse Russia, from pre-revolutionary foment to Putin's return to authoritarianism, this is the book for you. Kort is poignant, lively and always informative. You will want to tag this book and keep it readily handy in your library.

I tested out of the History of the Soviet Union by reading this text it covered everything on the test and more

i bought this book for a class (minored in Russian History), and this book is more than a standard history text book.point-by-point the motivation for the establishment of the Soviet Union is outlined with complete objectivity and very little 20-20 hindsight criticism. Kort explores every facet of the transition from complete autocracy to socialist society with great detail throughout every era from Stalin's failed 5-year plans to Gorbachev's perestroika which actually ended the existance of the USSR.even for the casual history buff this is a great guide and insightful read.