Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire

“A must-have accounting. . . . Sebestyen’s brilliantly written narrative unfolds in brief, gripping episodes.” — Newsweek

“Numerous books have [attempted] to synthesize the compelling story of the fall of communism, but Revolution 1989 comes closest to being the essential volume. Sebestyen’s elegant narrative lays out in crisp episodes what was happening . . . throughout the tumultuous 1980s.” — The Daily Beast

“Full of sharp snapshots and crisp narrative . . . vivid personal glimpses and striking details.” — The New York Review of Books

“Vivid, panoramic. . . . The writing is taut, the scene-setting dramatic, giving the book an almost cinematic feel.” — The Sunday Times (London)

“A digestible and colourful history of that miraculous year.” — The Economist

“It’s a complex story spanning many countries, but this exciting yet deeply researched work brings it impressively to life. . . . Compelling.” — The Observer

“Sebestyen’s strength is his sharp focus and racy prose. . . . Here is history written like a Greek tragedy.” — The Times (London)

“A compelling and illuminating account of a great drama in the history of our times which showed once again that ordinary men and women really can change the world.” — The Mail on Sunday

“A rollicking mix of high drama and sordid reality . . . spiced with telling quotations.” — The Independent

“A thrilling read. . . . Sebestyen is good at sketching the leading players but he also succinctly conveys what life was like for ordinary citizens.” — Daily Express

“Sebestyen brilliantly pulls together the events that led to the fall of the Soviet empire.” — The Spectator

“Superbly written and impressively documented.” — Times Literary Supplement