This two-volume text focuses on three main topics: the struggle for and against political authority; the expansion and contraction of Russia and its dealings with non-Russian nationalities and foreign powers; and the life and culture of the Russian people. This approach contributes to the book's stress on the continuities in Russian history from its beginnings to the mid 1990's. The text provides a balanced and comprehensive coverage of political; economic; social; cultural; and intellectual history.
#351799 in Books 2002-02-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.95 x .78 x 6.09l; 1.19 #File Name: 070061186X392 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The war than change my mindBy Alejandro CasalegnoAs a young boy in Argentina; in 1984 i read in a newspaper about a "Soviet offensive in the Panjsher valley; Afghanistan"; from this day my passion for military history began and today is more stronger than ever.The book is a superb analysis of the soviet intervention; not communist propaganda; every tactics and weapons is shown in a professional way.The great irony is than the same locations of battles than i follow in the 80's are in the news now and the US Army is in the same crossroad than the Soviets.Afghanistan is a easy place to invade; impossible to be conquer.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. I dare you to find an adjective.By JTMAh; the great literary prose of Nabakov and Dostoyevsky this is not. Keep in mind this is an official Soviet study of the conflict. For those wondering just how colorful an after-action report from the monolithic socialist empire can be; wonder no more.You get what you pay for; this is the literary equivalent of the cold; soul-killing; concrete block architecture employed by the soviets through Eastern Europe and Afghanistan.If you can get past all of that; and it is a DIFFICULT read; you will find a level of detail and thoroughness without peer. It is similar to books published by our own government. Lots of numbers; lots of diagrams; and tons of information (20 pages on Ammunition Combat Service Support anyone?). The reader will need a decent level of understanding of military science - because the book does not stop long to explain concepts; and assumes quite a bit of the reader.In conclusion; it is the type of book you only really begin to enjoy when you have finished it. A worthy undertaking.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Detailed; insightful; yet incomplete.By G. BahlmanThe translators and editors went to great pains not only to bring this detailed product of the Russian General Staff's analysis to English speakers; but have added their own analysis as well; with more up-to-date and more objective perspectives. This book will inform the readers on every aspect of Soviet operations inside Afghanistan; from logistical and medical issues; to large-scale motorized infantry tactics. Seemingly nothing was left out; except for one thing: why the Soviets lost! Also lacking was more detail on the Mujahideen perspective on the war. Accounts of Mujahideen activity were told entirely from the Soviet perspective. In fairness; this book sources only one document; and information about the inner workings of Mujahideen forces and Afghan society might have been sparse prior to 2002. But the book fails to address the non-military reasons for the war's failure; and let's face it; the Mujahideen were no match for the LCOSF in open warfare; which leaves the non-military aspects of Soviet occupation as the deciding factor in the outcome. The author makes only vague references to the effects of the occupation on the populace; the problems with the legitimacy of the DRA government; and the extent of foreign support to the Mujahideen; leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about what finally forced the Soviets out. Overall; a very comprehensive; if limited; analysis of the war. I would recommend supplementing this book with other publications; such as the US Army Counterinsurgency Field Manual (ISBN-13: 978-0226841519).
