What Is at Stake Now: My Appeal for Peace and Freedom

by Mikhail Gorbachev, Jessica Spengler (Translator)

Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, world peace is at risk again. The United States has withdrawn from the disarmament treaty with Russia, Europe is disintegrating, China is surging forward and a wave of nationalism and populism is destabilizing established political institutions and endangering hard-won liberties.  Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic has brought into sharp relief the fragility of the global order and the speed with which it can slide into chaos.   

In view of this dangerous and unpredictable state of affairs, Mikhail Gorbachev, the last great statesman of the 1989 revolution, has written this short book to warn us of the grave risks we now face and to urge us all, political leaders and citizens alike, to take action to address them. He focuses on the big challenges of our time, such as the renewal of the arms race and the growing risks of nuclear war, the new tension between Russia and the West, the global environmental crisis, the global threat of diseases and epidemics, the rise of populism and the decline of democracy. He argues that self-serving policies and narrow-minded politics aimed at the pursuit of national interests are taking the place of political principles and overshadowing the vision of a free and just world for all peoples. He offers his view of where Russia is heading and he urges political leaders in the West to recognize that re-establishing trust between Russia and the West requires the courage of true leadership and a commitment to genuine dialogue and understanding on both sides.

Now more than ever, the responses to the great challenges we face cannot be purely national in character but must be based on a collaborative effort in which political leaders put aside their differences and work together to advance the human security of all.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Memoir

140 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2020

About the author

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was a Russian politician. He was the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the last head of state of the USSR, serving from 1985 until its collapse in 1991.

Gorbachev's attempts at reform—perestroika and glasnost—as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan, contributed to the end of the Cold War, and also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. At the time of his death Gorbachev served as the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats, a political party founded after the official dissolution of the Social Democratic Party of Russia on 20 October 2007.

Reviews

[Luke McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deliciously concise and intelligible political treatise by Gorbachev. His analysis of the threats and dangers facing the world are astute. Whilst I tend to prefer a stronger local community over a global one, Gorbachev correctly explains that isolationism and a rejection of the new level of interconnection is foolish and impossible.
I dont agree with his defence of Putin and his authoritarian tendencies, but I understand his position. He obviously loves Russia and wants to see a peaceful transition into open democracy, avoiding the violent clashes that so characterised the nation’s past.

[Mel Vil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read. More of a speech/statement than anything else. Very timely and the publication and translation route seems interesting given the context.

[jpolstep · Rating 4 out of 5]

this cunt is still alive ?

[Kayla Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely worth reading!

[T. Lass · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to read this book on the day Gorbachev died and to see if I could find some kind of wisdom from the man.

In the context of war in Ukraine, I found this book interesting only insofar that it gave me some insight into a Russian imperialist mind.

The book discusses quite shallowly the major trends of today (globalization, radicalization, global warming etc). Some thoughts here were interesting. However, in my reading, these ideas were only af facade to communicate something different:

1. The book's main idea and narrative is lamenting American colonialism, imperialism, saying that America has no business in other countries' affairs (basically agree)

2. The book is peppered with claims that Russia has been wronged by NATO and USA time and time again. Claims that, if NATO, USA or EU want to engage with countries with countries near it (quote - "with whom it shares complex and longstanding historic and cultural ties"), then they should consult Russia first. Implying fully, these countries are not sovereign.

So in short - "rules for thee, but not for me, because Russia is special".

Of course, the last chapter is an "in defence of Vladimir Putin", which I skipped.

Read like you would read Mein Kampf - with maximum vigilance.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

Gorbachev accomplished great things, and I was hoping to understand him better through this book. That didn't work out.

This was basically a summary of his stance on a number of issues. A disappointing read

[Isis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me quite a long time to read - longer than a book of 184 pages usually takes me to read and I think that says something. This would be a 2.5 or 2.75 for me.

In all honesty, this was quite a disappointment. It started out quite okay and I feel like the first couple of chapters weren't that bad, they were quite nice. The last chapters just really made me struggle to get through the book. Overall, the chapters were really short and didn't really elaborate extensively on the subjects that were covered in the book - nuclear weaponry, climate, populism. That was, generally, a major letdown. Especially in the later chapters, which really focus on the political history of Russia and Europe, lots of things that were talked about weren't explained properly. Now, I am not the best at political history, which sometimes made it hard for me to properly understand the point of view that was being explained.

I saw some reviews about this book as well and two of them struck me. One said that there was a lot of 'whataboutism' regarding Russia. While I understand Gorbachev's bias towards Russia, I felt like some things just weren't properly defended. Another review said that the chapters felt quite disjointed and I totally agree with that. The book covered lots of things without going into detail. This made it seem like the contents covered in the book might have also been various notes made by Gorbachev throughout the years, rather than a full book that was written, meant as a complete and joint book.

In general, the book just felt like a letdown. I was looking forward to understanding Gorbachev's opinions on the topics covered, but the book just felt pretty bland and without much depth.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hopeful manifesto for how the world should move forward and work together again with a special emphasis on the West and Russia. “A nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought”

[Ocean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a ton of appreciation for Gorbachev as a person. I like his idealism and many of his stances on various issues. However, I found myself frustrated by his excuse-making for Russia in the final chapter. The book is very much worth reading as a cultural insight as well as insight to this particular man who shaped so much history. Interesting book from an interesting man.

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in reducing nuclear weapons and improving world peace. This book (translated from Russian by Jessica Spengler) is a short, shallow summary of the current crises facing the world (including nuclear armament, global warming, and the rise of populism) but lacks insight, practical answers and defends Russian aggression with ‘what-aboutism’.

[Alex Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a feel-good piece by Gorbachev here. Valid points but obvious to anyone with a slight head for current events. A bit of literary autofellatio mixed in too🤷🏻‍♂️

[Jay Gabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I have always believed,” writes Mikhail Gorbachev, “and continue to believe, that former leaders should not remain silent, that they have every right to put forward proposals and issue warnings.” That sounds a little defensive, but it’s coming from a man who rose to power in a system that didn’t have a lot of respect for the role of distinguished former statesman. Today, simply in modeling the role, Gorbachev’s implicitly inviting Vladimir Putin to step into it when his term as President of Russia expires in 2024 — an outcome that’s far from certain.

What Is At Stake Now doesn’t criticize Putin too directly; one would like to think a world-famous 89-year-old Nobel Peace laureate wouldn’t fear being murdered by goons, but then, there are a lot of things one would like to think aren’t true in 2020. Gorbachev is such a one, and his short but wide-ranging new book serves as a concise précis of roiling global calamities — from climate change to the rise of authoritarianism to, oh yeah, COVID-19.

Understandably, the book reads as an elegy to a more optimistic time in world affairs. While Gorbachev repeatedly touches on the greatest hits of his time in office (“America needs its own perestroika”), What Is At Stake Now also reminds readers of the broken promises that go beyond arms treaties.

I reviewed What Is At Stake Now for The Tangential.

[Jooseppi Räikkönen]

You know how everyone everywhere ever has Barack Obama's pontifications and the n-th book about how a former Trump-ally is now really concerned about their country in their bookshelves? To top that of they're usually translated to many languages, though their audience most likely knows the original language of publication (presently at use) quite well. It's a strange sign-of-the-times that we'd be so preoccupied with their opinions.

Well Gorbačóv's book was quite refresher for that reason. There's nothing exactly amazing about it —it's a rather generic call for a moderate "reasonable", social democratic, UN-centric, sustainable development, corporate sustainability -world order—still, whilst reading it his cred as a head of state of a relatively imperialist megapower brought an extra kick for all the stuff that was good.

Biggest oof was his discussion of Putin and Russia's foreign policy, though they are remarks I wouldn't exactly advice shutting one's ears from either. The greatest weakness of heads of state is, I suppose, that you tend to disappear a bit too much behind a vague sense of necessary evil. I would still recommend this to anyone who's into all this and wondering what ol 90-year-old Gorbačóv is up to nowadays.

[Rosmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ + Neue Herausforderungen in einer globalisierten Welt

Michail Gorbatschow ( Gorbi) gehört wohl zu den bekanntesten Politikern unserer Zeit und in diesem kleinen Büchlein teilt er seine Gedanken zur aktuellen Weltlage. Das Buch wurde 2019 veröffentlicht und hat inhaltlich eher an Brisanz zugenommen. Gerade was den Umgang mit Russland angeht.

In den ersten beiden Kapiteln geht er auf Abrüstung, vor allem von Atomwaffen, Globalisierung und Klimaschutz ein. Das war alles recht allgemein und ich hatte schon Sorge, dass es ein sehr oberflächliches Buch ist. Das hat sich dann ab der zweiten Hälfte deutlich gebessert. Dort geht er auf verschiedene Länder und ihre Positionen auf der Weltbühne ein. Das war für mich auch der interessanteste Teil

Im letzten Kapitel schreibt er über Deutschland und die Wiedervereinigung. Das war ein schöner Abschluss und man glaubt ihm, dass er Deutschland gegenüber wohlgesonnen ist.

Ich hätte mir nur etwas mehr über Russland und russische Politik gewünscht, da unsere Presse, was Herr Gorbatschow selber an einer Stelle kritisiert, sehr einseitig und tendenziös über Russland berichtet.

[Yavor Raychev · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book of Michail Gorbachev, which calls for peace and disarmament, gives a nice closure to this man's life and it nicely explains the Russian point of view on the current world affairs. The writing style is light, composed basically of various essays on actual topics. Unfortunately the points made are flawed. It is cynical that Gorbachev calls for disarmament in a moment in which Russia is waging war against Ukraine. While this obviously is not a problem of Mr. Gorbachev, it demonstrates the hypocrisy of the Russian political elite, to which he also made part once. One should learn and understand them, but should not fall to their propaganda and bigotry.

[Michael Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many politicians alienate the people they serve by using incredible complex language. This means a lot of the time they can quite simply get off the hook because the vast majority of people don’t know what they are talking about. Gorbachev does not do that here. He makes politics what it should be - accessible.

His points are clear to understand and simple to read. This isn’t some 1000 page flex to show of literary skill. It is what every political book should be.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, clearly written short book (123 pages); Gorbachev focuses on the challenges of our time.
There is a lot to ponder.

"I do not believe that the collapse of trust over recent years is irreversible. i view it as a lapse, a mistake. Fixing this mistake will take time and patience, common sense and negotiating skills. And, above all, we must understand that we live together on this fragile planet, and we are all responsible for its future fate". Mikhail Gorbachev

[Balder Dendievel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aangezien Gorbatsjov één van de belangrijkste politieke figuren van de 20ste eeuw is, sowieso interessant. Misschien wat oppervlakkig voor mensen die goed op de hoogte zijn van internationale politieke geschiedenis, maar het is, en zeker ook in het licht van de Russische invasie in Oekraïne, interessant om zijn standpunten te lezen. Op veel vlakken niet mee eens, maar het is een reus waar je niet naast kan kijken en daarom zeker aan te raden.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important political books I have read in a long time. There is much said here that gives the measure of the political elites and their neglect of the ordinary people.

The last chapter 'The New Russia' is worth the price of the book alone. You'll understand the post Soviet Union era better.

It is a short book that you should read.

[Rhys Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appeal for kindness

This is a touching appeal to step back from aggression and self enrichment in order to share a more gentle world. It also emphasises the uselessness of nuclear weapons in the modern world. Overall it is a work of love.

[Margie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I don’t believe Gorbachev authored this entire book. It is too disjointed. Some parts of it seem extracted from sections of his memoirs and previous writings. Therefore as a whole it appears to me that his name was exploited in the cause of pure propaganda.

[Daniel Headifen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started it thinking it would be far more pro west. Which is pretty ignorant of me considering his background and life’s work. So useful as an informed counterpoint to much of what I hear in our news and political opinions.

[Marjorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pawac read learned more about breakup of ussr Angela Weck is such a great resource and lovely person to be around,

[Philipp Servatius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recht gute Gedanken, aber etwas zu einseitig. Eine weitere Perspektive hätte diesem Buch gut getan.

Ansonsten sind die Problem der aktuellen Welt aber gut dargestellt.

[Simone Martelossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever so current. A bit disappointed that this book feels more like Gorbi's venting out his opinion rather than a more structured thought, but still interesting and raises a few good points.

[Bianca Granneman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inhoud ingehaald door de actualiteit. En hij leek toch niet goed de situatie destijds in te schatten.

[Toon Laenen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik ben best wel een fan van zijn beleid, maar na dit boek weet ik dat er op z'n minst een nog grotere fan was. Gorbatsjov zelf.

[Darjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have liked for the book to be slightly longer. But very interesting read

[Tim Taler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some call him an idiot. I call him brave. He believes in something that takes a lot of time that people don't like to take.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often read political books. But when I saw this one I definitely took more than a second look and decided to give it a go. I wasn't interested in politics as a young teen as most aren't and so the name Gorbachev is a name I heard in the news but that is about it. What interested me about this book was part of the title "My Appeal for Peace and Freedom" and I am so glad this caught my eye.

Gorbachev discusses nuclear weapons, climate, environment and economics. I found his opinion very easy to follow and he makes some very good observations and points. I the vast majority I did understand, as it was given in a basic format. There were some things that I didn't get but kind of got the gist as such. I don't have a political or economic background and if I am being completely honest I don't have that much of an interest in them.

The emphasis that Gorbachev has is trying to have a level playing field between rich and poor, education for all, a more stable environmental future and a worldwide agreement on nuclear weapons and also weapons of mass destruction. He does point the finger of blame at other countries as well as his own and also himself. He admits that there have been times when things have been done wrong or have inflamed a situation.

Whatever your stance is on politics is, it is your own. I don't think any one person opinion is better or worse than another. But, I do think that when world leaders or people who have a standing in their particular field make a statement or appeal then we should pay attention. In some ways, this appeal is similar to the one Attenborough has with his Witness Statement. Both these men share the thought that change needs to happen and it needs to happen now, it should have been done years ago so we need change urgently.

This is a book that I found very accessible, it makes some very good points. It does ask questions and not all are answered. The overall message is one for peace, environmental change, a balanced world economy and the main point he makes is that militarization needs to be removed from politics. I think this is a book that people will take different things from. I found it informative and also quite a sombre read. It takes in the pandemic of this year so it is current in today's climate. I would recommend this book.