Featuring extensive revisions to the text as well as a new introduction and epilogue--bringing the book completely up to date on the tumultuous politics of the previous decade and the long-term implications of the Soviet collapse--this compact; original; and engaging book offers the definitive account of one of the great historical events of the last fifty years. Combining historical and geopolitical analysis with an absorbing narrative; Kotkin draws upon extensive research; including memoirs by dozens of insiders and senior figures; to illuminate the factors that led to the demise of Communism and the USSR. The new edition puts the collapse in the context of the global economic and political changes from the 1970s to the present day. Kotkin creates a compelling profile of post Soviet Russia and he reminds us; with chilling immediacy; of what could not have been predicted--that the world's largest police state; with several million troops; a doomsday arsenal; and an appalling record of violence; would liquidate itself with barely a whimper. Throughout the book; Kotkin also paints vivid portraits of key personalities. Using recently released archive materials; for example; he offers a fascinating picture of Gorbachev; describing this virtuoso tactician and resolutely committed reformer as "flabbergasted by the fact that his socialist renewal was leading to the system's liquidation"--and more or less going along with it.At once authoritative and provocative; Armageddon Averted illuminates the collapse of the Soviet Union; revealing how "principled restraint and scheming self-interest brought a deadly system to meek dissolution." Acclaim for the First Edition:"The clearest picture we have to date of the post-Soviet landscape."--The New Yorker"A triumph of the art of contemporary history. In fewer than 200 pagesKotkin elucidates the implosion of the Soviet empire--the most important and startling series of international events of the past fifty years--and clearly spells out why; thanks almost entirely to the 'principal restraint' of the Soviet leadership; that collapse didn't result in a cataclysmic war; as all experts had long forecasted."-The Atlantic Monthly"Concise and persuasive The mystery; for Kotkin; is not so much why the Soviet Union collapsed as why it did so with so little collateral damage." --The New York Review of Books
#307523 in Books Motomura Hiroshi 2007-09-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x .80 x 9.10l; .84 #File Name: 0195336089256 pagesAmericans in waiting
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative; Exceptional; and Provocative: Americans in Waiting Challenges Many Myths about American Immigration LawBy Eric H. RothThis informative history of "Americans in Waiting" uncovers the lost story of harsh; often racist; laws that placed legal burdens on people living inside the United States. It's both a fascinating; lucid history and passionate plea for immigrants and refugees to be warmly welcomed into full citizenship. The author; Hiroshi Motomura; articulates a vision of immigration system that embraces "Americans in Waiting". Although written a decade ago; I found several chapters quite timely. It's also clear that America's immigration story has always been far more complicated than many immigration supporters and contemporary critics seem to believe. Detailed; exceptional; and provocative; Americans in Waiting challenges many myths and misconceptions about American Immigration laws. Read it to learn more!17 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Americans in Waiting: Legal Immigrants on a Path to NaturalizationBy JenniferAmericans in Waiting blends a thorough analysis of the turbulent history of U.S. citizenship and immigration with a normative legal theory of what ought to be done. Motomuro; a leading immigration law scholar; evades overly obfuscating legal jargon in lieu of style that can be enjoyed by any reader from all degrees of background knowledge.Motomuro breaks legal immigration down into three views: immigration as contract; immigration as affiliation; and immigrants in transition; or what he otherwise terms as "Americans in Waiting." The third category is what Motomuro is most concerned with; hence the title of the book. Americans in Waiting are legal immigrants who are on a path to citizenship; but who have not or cannot naturalize yet (i.e: either they have not met the legal naturalization waiting period of 3-5 years for Legal Permanent Residents; administrative backlog; etc). While Motomuro argues that rights should be extended to this status of persons; such as voting; access to public benefits; and family reunification rights; he still believes there is reason for Americans in Waiting to remain a separate category from full-citizens. One categorical difference he believes should remain in tact is deportability for criminal acts. By recapturing key court cases; Motomuro traces the development of alienage law as we know it today and he also provides good reason for why his articulation is desirable for America and its future as a people.I have been studying U.S. immigration and citizenship quite thoroughly for about a year now; but it was not until reading this book that so many key terms and distinctions between different statuses became so coherent. Motomuro sheds much clarity and insight onto a highly complex and vital social and political issue. Excellent all around!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommended.By William P. MartinI had the privilege of hearing Hiroshi Motomura speak at Lewis Clark Law School and immediately purchased his books. Highly recommended.
