A rigorously argued and lively interpretation of the transformation of the Soviet system, written by a leading authority on Soviet politics. This thoroughly researched book draws on new archival sources and puts perestroika in fresh perspective.

PART 1 ; 1. Introduction ; PART 2 ; 2. Gorbachev: New Man in the Kremlin ; 3. The First Phase of Soviet Reform, 1985-86 ; 4. Fundamental Political Change, 1987-89 ; 5. Reconstructing the Soviet Political System ; PART 3 ; 6. Institutional Amphibiousness or Civil Society? The Origins and Development of Perestroika ; 7. The Dismantling of the System and the Disintegration of the State ; 8. Transnational Influences in the Transition from Communism ; 9. Ending the Cold War ; 10. Gorbachev and His Era in Perspective ; Index

`Review from previous edition Historical reputations will rise and fall, but there will be one constant feature of Gorbachev's seven years. Nobody else will be able to consider them seriously without reading the work of Archie Brown, who has emerged as the leading authority on the high politics of the period by dint of assiduous labour on the printed record and discussions with virtually all the important individuals involved.' Paul Dukes, History Today `'in the 1980s Brown had to field his share of brickbats from those who accused him of wishful thinking about the very existence of serious reformers inside the Soviet establishment. History proved him right, and his critics wrong. Now, as this volume shows, he has the Soviet archives on his side as well'' Mary Dejevsky (The Times Moscow correspondent during perestroika), Oxford Today `The bulk of the book is a necessary reminder of what Mr Gorbachev and perestroika achieved - even if inadvertently. For what, asks Mr Brown, did Mr Gorbachev sacrifice "the boundless authority, the unquestioning obedience, the orchestrated public adulation"? For freedom of speech, freedom of religion, competitive elections and a host of other The bulk of the book is a necessary reminder of what Mr Gorbachev and perestroika achieved - even if inadvertently. For what, asks Mr Brown, did Mr Gorbachev sacrifice "the boundless authority, the unquestioning obedience, the orchestrated public adulation"? For freedom of speech, freedom of religion, competitive elections and a host of other accomplishments. The author rightly concludes that the "democratic shortcomings of post-Soviet Russia notwithstanding, the country that Gorbachev bequeathed to his successors was freer than at any time in Russian history".' The Economist `Archie Brown's Seven Years that Changed the World provides a thorough, balanced, and insightful analysis of Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika... For a long time, it will be impossible to have an informed discussion of Gorbachev's legacy without reference to Brown's volume, which represents the current state of research and informed judgment on that watershed period of Russian history and international relations.' Jack F. Matlock, Jr (US Ambassador to Moscow, 1987-1991), Journal of Cold War Studies `'Archie Brown is the dean of Gorbachev experts. ' Sir Rodric Braithwaite (UK Ambassador to Moscow, 1988-1992), Moscow Times `Archie Brown's knowledge of Gorbachev and Gorbachevism is unsurpassed. This new book... highlights the dynamics and significance of perestroika as a major attempt to overhaul the institutional and cultural foundations of Sovietism... On the basis of remarkable archival research, interviews with key actors, and extensive use of personal memoirs, Brown provides a gripping account of the political and moral battles surrounding Gorbachev's efforts to bring down the ossified system inherited from his predecessors and embark on a genuine New Course meant to democratize socialism.' Vladimir Tismaneanu, Perspectives on Politics `Demonstrating his meticulous scholarship and painstaking research, Brown adapts to the Soviet scene the concept of "institutional amphibiousness", by which some parts of the state system can simultaneously work for functions and purposes contradictory to those of the state.' Times Literary Supplement `The real genius of the end of communism was Mikhail Gorbachev, general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. Archie Brown has been his closest and best commentator. ' John Lloyd, Financial Times `There are few who can compete with Professor Brown in intensity of attention to Soviet politics and Soviet institutions, in nuanced approach, and in painstaking analysis... Intuition, a talent for scientific foresight, scrupulous attention to the facts, and the ability to bring out from among a great number of conflicting tendencies the most decisive have enabled Brown to become an authority on the evaluation both of perestroika and the activity of its leader.' Lilia Shevtsova, Pro et Contra (Moscow) `Mikhail Gorbachev's most important biographer here passes judgement on the man and the process he unleashed ...at the heart of the book is the conviction that Gorbachev "changed the world" by changing the Soviet Union, a case he makes with great integrity.' Robert Legvold, Foreign Affairs `Archie Brown has established himself as one of the world's authorities on the life and political activity of Mikhail Gorbachev, and this book focuses on his role in the transformation of the USSR between 1985 and 1991. ' David Lane, The Political Quarterly `...the book of the renowned British political scientist and historian Archie Brown - the result of many years of work on the theme - uses a wide range of sources: the memoirs of participants in the events, the protocols of Politburo sessions, the articles and speeches of M.S. Gorbachev and his comrades-in-arms and others.' Olga Malinova, Polis (Moscow) `As all specialists surely know, Archie Brown, currently Emeritus Professor of Politics at Oxford University, was the Western scholar who recognized first and most fully the remarkable leadership talents and radical reformist instincts of Gorbachev... Brown's judgements are so sound and well supported by his close reading of Soviet official documents, archival records, memoirs, and interviews that it is hard to remember that they were well out of the mainstream when he first began propounding them... For this magisterial account of seven years of Gorbachev's remarkable leadership... we are in Archie Brown's debt.' Thomas F. Remington, The Russian Review `Russian readers...will be grateful to the author for his thoughtful and meticulous analysis of the actions of politicians and of the dramatic events bearing on the fate of millions of former citizens of the former USSR... In his reflections on perestroika and its lessons, he brings the discussion on to a truly international level...' Andrei Grachev, Svobodnaya mysl' [Free Thought] `...Professor Brown was the most lucidly analytical and perceptive of commentators during those crucial [perestroika] years.' Sir Patrick Cormack, MP, The House Magazine: The Parliamentary Weekly

The author's previous book The Gorbachev Factor (OUP, 1996) won the W.J.M. Mackenzie Prize of the Political Studies Association of the UK for best political science book of the year and the Alec Nove Prize of the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies for the best book or article on Communism, Post-Communism or Russia. A major new interpretation of one of the key moments in 20th century history written by the first Western scholar to highlight the potential importance of Mikhail Gorbachev

The author's previous book The Gorbachev Factor (OUP, 1996) won the W.J.M. Mackenzie Prize of the Political Studies Association of the UK for best political science book of the year and the Alec Nove Prize of the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies for the best book or article on Communism, Post-Communism or Russia. A major new interpretation of one of the key moments in 20th century history written by the first Western scholar to highlight the potential importance of Mikhail Gorbachev