A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union In The Cold W... Apr 2026

is a widely acclaimed book by historian Vladislav Zubok , first published in 2007. It is considered a seminal work because it provides a comprehensive history of the entire Cold War strictly from the Soviet perspective , utilizing recently declassified Politburo records, telegrams, and diaries. Key Themes and Arguments

: Zubok places significant responsibility for the Soviet collapse on Mikhail Gorbachev , arguing that his personal choices and idealism—rather than just U.S. pressure—inadvertently destroyed the state. A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold W...

: Zubok argues that Soviet foreign policy was driven by a tension between "revolutionary" communist ideology and traditional Russian "imperial" interests. is a widely acclaimed book by historian Vladislav