The New Russians

by Hedrick Smith

Examines the contemporary Soviet Union, assesses the impact of Gorbachev's sweeping reforms on the lives of ordinary Soviet citizens, and speculates about the future

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction, Politics, Russian History, Journalism

735 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Hedrick Smith is a journalist who has been a reporter and editor for The New York Times, a producer/correspondent for the PBS show Frontline, and author of several books.

Reviews

[Horus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tome is devoted to Russian history during the age of Gorbachev and Perestroika. Like his earlier book, The Russians, this one is well researched and written. As he had lived in Russia in the 1970’s, returning in the 80’s meant a familiarity and an ability to compare not only the political, but the perceptions and cultural changes as well. There was lots to learn here that I didn’t absorb as a younger person living through these times, and he clearly points out that Gorbachev‘s reputation was much different outside of Russia than within. I now only wish he would write another followup about how all the changes of glasnost led, somehow, to the age of Putin. This book is for anyone interested in Russian political history, and well worth the read.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in the laundry room at one of the RV campgrounds a few weeks ago. I read Smith's first book: The Russians back in the early 1980's. Back then I was struck with his description of the huge under ground black market economy that was pervasive in the Soviet Union.
He followed up with another well-written account of the the changing times under Gorbachev from the mid 1980's to 1990. It was a good education on the power of the free press. It also was a good history lesson on the Stalinist era and how that influenced the hesitation of the populace to throw off the yoke of the soviet central system. But over time and in a fast fashion, republic after republic found their voice and risked their lives and livehood to change things and get involved in a more free-market system. Gorbachev's glasnost and peristroika were the sparks that spread like wildfire throughout the republics. It swept with a force that even Gorbachev could not have predicted. First the fall of the satellite eastern European countries, then the Central Asian -stans and the Baltics.
Smith's account explains much but also leaves a good bit unanswered. It does not delve into the role of the miliatry in the transformation. It does not go beyond early 1990. But is does provide an educational account of the rise of the voice of the people, the role of sociology, the dysfunctional economy and some of the politics that brought about the New Russia.
I enjoyed the book though it was slow reading. It was useful and has me interested in learning more of the story of the Russian people. I recommend it.

[Kirk Lowery]

A better title for this book would be, "The Life and Times of M. S. Gorbachov." It is a political history of the transition years of 1985-1990 and how the Communist Party was forced by economic rot to release its strangle hold on political power. We all know what happened generally during this period; Smith documents the actual debates, the struggle for power, and the step-by-step move away from Stalinism. I particularly appreciated Smith's recording of his interviews with political figures and the "man in the street" alike. He is fluent in Russian and has the reporter's eye. Most readers (including me) will get a bit lost with all the names -- kinda like reading Tolstoy. The cast is huge. But the center of it all -- with all his faults and failures -- is Gorbachov himself. He was the catalyst for change; he was also in the right place at the right time.

[Ana-Maria Bujor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I had read quite a bit about the topic and was not sure what this brick of a book could bring new. But boy was I wrong. This book includes massive collection of reports and analyses written as the USSR was slowly reforming and disintegrating. You get to meet all sorts of people caught up in the events, be they average citizens, dissidents, politicians, scientists, and everyone in between. There are a lot of things I did not know about (exactly what happened in the Baltics and Uzbekistan, the birth of rightist movements, etc) and the solid writing almost took me there. It must have been quite something to be able to write such a book and it definitely was quite something to read it and think what it all led to.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. It is dated, in this sense that he does not describe the current status of Russia. However, the insights into life in the various Soviet republics in the 80s and 90s is eye-opening. It honestly makes you wonder how this ferment was not inevitable, and how they ever managed to make the break happen.
It is extremely dense and well-researched, but this is balanced with Smith's skill as a journalist to keep his story moving.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copyright 1990. So it misses some big events just a few short years later. It's a bit wonkier than the original "Russians." Hedrick should write another one.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amusing to think of the fall of the Soviet Union and its communist driven ethic being a far off memory, considering it's been slightly 25 years since. Contemporary Russian history has given us Boris Yeltsin, the KGB becoming the SVR, the rise of the Oligarchs and Vladimir Putin, terrorism in relation to Chechnya, and the new age of Russia's expansive cyberwarfare, among many other examples. Nevertheless, revisiting the era of Mikhail Gorbachev and the idea of Perestroika helps us to analyse the long and difficult road Russians have endured; quite equal in depth to the times of Tsars, Lenin, and Stalin respectively. Author Hedrick Smith has done a terrific job writing "The New Russians" at this critical time of change in Russian history. His passion and professional knowledge along with firsthand accounts speak volumes. Gorbachev serves as a sort of "protagonist" to this lengthy study, with all of his upbringing and career brought to the forefront. However, what I appreciate about Smith's analysis is his interviews of people from all walks of life in the Soviet system. Here we read about the agriculturists, economists, professors, students, etc, that all have varying perspectives to tell about the difficulties they must face to survive under the communist Soviet system. We see the wide range of deceit of political leaders, the lack of motivation from factory workers, the oppression of Eastern European and Central Asian countries, the push and pull of left and right wing influence in politics, and the anarchist heart of the Russian character. This is a book for anyone interested in the history and culture of Russia and its many endurances and challenges for the continuing fight to find its proper place in the world. An incredible tome!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the best histories of Russia circa 1985-1990 that you're ever going to read. It captures the essence of this critical time in history, and reading it now will help you understand Russia of 2009.

[Denise DeRocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

H. Smith writes cogently about one of my favorite subjects. He's erudite yet succinct; knows his facts; and works from a theoretical base that supplies the reader with a foundation for learning about the monumental changes that happened after the dissolution of the USSR.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the book a long time ago, too long to give a proper review. In time, I'll re-read it and give my opinion.