An in-depth examination of the causes of the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. An excellent review source for the IB history examination or for the historical researcher. Comprehensive and packed with IB-related thought provoking questions and material. Dr. Juan R. Cespedes' scholarly perspective engages the reader with details of the cultural, economic, social, and political life under communism. A sampling of the subject matter covered is "The Decline and Disintegration of the Soviet Union," "Achievements at Home and Abroad," "Outlook for Brezhnev," "Incursion into Afghanistan," "Enter Gorbachev," "Glasnost," "Perestroika," "Attempts at Democratization," "A Chronology of Key Events," "Possible Exam-Related Questions and Outline of Answers" and much more. Each chapter ends with a synopsis of the material covered for easy review."