From an internationally renowned expert on US history; this highly illustrated title details the curtain-closing campaign of the Civil War in the East. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Potomac and Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia faced up to one another one last time; as Lee conducted a desperate series of withdrawals and retreats down the line of Richmond and Danville Railroad. This book; drawing on the detailed visual aid of bird's eye views and maps; tells the full story of the skirmishes and pursuits that led directly to Lee's surrender; as his frantic efforts to extricate his forces from ever more perilous positions became increasingly untenable.
#868240 in Books Chris Miller 2016-12-02Original language:English 9.41 x .86 x 6.48l; .0 #File Name: 1469630176264 pagesThe Struggle to Save the Soviet Economy Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of the USSR The New Cold War History
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A vividly written and deeply sourced narrativeBy Andrew BatsonA vividly written and deeply sourced narrative of the Soviet Union's last decade. Too often the collapse of the Soviet economy is seen as historically inevitably and therefore uninteresting; but Miller brings to life the actual events and choices that led to that collapse. One of the interesting themes running through the book is how Soviet leaders in the 1980s viewed the economic reforms that China was making at the same time; and why the two countries ended up on such different trajectories. Highly recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book for anyoneBy MCLMiller's writing is engaging; even for someone with absolutely no knowledge of the topic. The topic is increasingly relevant in today's world; and Miller brings new life to the discussion. A great book!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Hollow Core at the Center of the Russian EconomyBy Thunder BoltThe world is awash with concerns that Donald Trump fired Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airbase after refugee children were gassed with Sarin. The left-wing press has become hysterical about setting off WW III or what about Putin and Russia--we're scared of them aren't we? The answer is no--and this book illustrates the reason why. Arguably the major; #1 catastrophic event to befall mankind in the 20th century was Stalin outmaneuvering his colleagues to be the General Secretary of the Communist Party after Lenin's death in 1925. Over sixty million people Soviet citizens died under Stalin's Reign. Yet; 9 or 10 years after Gorbachev is ousted in a coup and the Soviet Union collapses into disarray; the Russian people are now governed by Vladimir Putin; who has rapidly taken on the trappings of a new dictatorship/tyrannical regime. Why would the Russian people do this? I don't know; but it's worth several books. However; Chris Miller has synthesized a vast trove of economic and political information from the archives to write this masterful book. Miller traces the key threads of Russia's tentative moves toward capitalism; studying and analyzing the Chinese Regime did after Mao died in '76 to understand how they revived and grew a nascent; existence-level economy into one of the great powers of the world. Unfortunately; the Russians got it wrong for two reasons: (1) Stalin-esque ideology got the upper hand; and more importantly; (2) Powerful interest groups: read-Agro-Industrial Complex; Militarial-Industrial Complex; big business/state run businesses--all became blockers or "wreckers" to use Stalin's favorite term; and coalesced to prevent Gorbachev and his successors from successfully pivoting Russia's economy in a capitalist/market-based economy (as the Chinese successfully did.). At minimum a thought-provoking; sobering book! At least one of the reasons Donald Trump was willing to risk it with the Russians is because he knows he is up against a paper tiger