A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union In The Cold W... -

: 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.

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 A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold W...

: He contends that Western historians often err by oversimplifying the Kremlin as either purely pragmatic or purely aggressive, failing to see the complex "aspirations, illusions, and fears" of the Soviet elite. : Zubok places significant responsibility for the Soviet