Revolution from Above: The Demise of the Soviet System

Book Description

Revolution from Above gives a new interpretation of the disintegration of the USSR. It challenges the widespread belief that the demise of the old regime was caused by the collapse of the Soviet economy, accompanied by public demand that socialism should be abandoned. It argues that the ruling party-state elite of the USSR itself moved to dismantle the Soviet system.

Coverage encompasses the beginnings of the Soviet political system in 1917 to the move towards capitalism in the 1990s and the surprise resurgence of Communist support in 1995. Research includes interviews with over fifty people influential in the old and new regimes, giving unique information on the Soviet collapse. This book will be invaluable to students of the economy, politics and history of the former Soviet Union.

Customer Reviews:

best of its kind.......2000-07-14

I have looked through a lot of books on the former Soviet Union and its collapse. Very often, Western authors show clear misunderstanding of the process and how it evolved. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very good analysis in this book. Being a Russian citizen, I discover that it truthfully depicts the history of my country and gives a very thorough picture of what has happened in it before, during, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The authors go to great lengths in order to convey their knowledge to the reader and I very much appreciate their work and effort.

class is a misnomer.......1999-05-06

review by illinois reader missed the main points of the book in my opinion. 1-gorbachev tried to reform system thru democratizing(he succeeded)the system and retaining some aspects of socialism(he failed) 2-Democatization allowed the option for a return to capitalism,formerly outlawed,to be considered as an option. 3-The elite opposed early moves toward perostroika because they feared loss of priveleges when decentralization was attempted 4-The elite then embraced the move to capitalism, despite the opposition of 60+percent of the citizenry,hence the title "Revolution From Above" 5-The USSR did not collapse because it was moribund,but because the elite felt that they could enrich themselves more under capitalism than they already had under the soviets. 6-Socialism may not be dead because it failed in the USSR.The author considers that as a first attempt from which future generation can learn. 7-This is well documented academic work well written and with an unconventional view point.

Class Intrigue in Contemporary Russia.......1998-07-22

Kotz and Weir start this book with a long detour through Soviet economic history, which is worthy on its own in explaining an often mythologized subject, but really pays off when it explains how the Soviet Union had a very distinct class structure that laid the grounds for the current era. With intelligent sociological analysis they show how the coordinators and bureaucrats who inhabited an allegedly "socialist" system did so for predominantly personal gain, and how they eventually sought and found even more gain in ending that system altogether. Crucial reading for understanding class conflict in Russia today.

Revolution from Above: The Demise of the Soviet System. (book reviews): An article from: Journal of Economic Issues

Average customer rating:

Revolution from Above: The Demise of the Soviet System. (book reviews): An article from: Journal of Economic Issues
Howard J. Sherman
Manufacturer: Association for Evolutionary Economics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Russia | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00097UH1Q
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Economic Issues, published by Association for Evolutionary Economics on December 1, 1997. The length of the article is 1151 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Revolution from Above: The Demise of the Soviet System. (book reviews)
Author: Howard J. Sherman
Publication: Journal of Economic Issues (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 1997
Publisher: Association for Evolutionary Economics
Volume: v31 Issue: n4 Page: p1086(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Revolution from above: The Demise of the Soviet System

Average customer rating:

Revolution from above: The Demise of the Soviet System
David M. Kotz
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBVK56

Book Description

Write the right letter or email--fast--with this handy reference guide

Since 1997, Dianna Booher’s Great Personal Letters for Busy People has been the go-to reference for anyone who is just too busy to sit down and write. The completely revised edition of this successful book updates all the letters and notes, making them ready to use for any business, personal, or social situation.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......2006-02-24

I am a writer. I have written many letters for all sorts of reasons, so I thought, "How could someone write letters for me?" And then I opened the book. It was as if I had written the words on the pages. Amazing, truly amazing. I now have in my library a book that will save me hours in thinking up my own original version, and because letters now require much less time, I will be more likely to the send one that may otherwise have been put off. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Buy Dianna's book. Letters get action far more than phone calls or emails.

Terrific resource.......2006-01-28

Dianna Booher has compiled an exhaustive collection of sample letters. From the busy person who just needs some help getting started, to those who find themselves in a situation where they know something in writing is warranted but just can't seem to find the right words, this book is a tremendous help; the letters are long, detailed, and anticipate many different possible situations you might be facing. Even if you think you are already a good letter writer, you will find good ideas galore. A very good reference book for anyone's bookshelf.

Average customer rating:

Ahmadi Review
A good reference manual

Great Letters for Every Occasion
Rosalie Maggio
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0735200815

Book Description

The bestselling author of How to Say It brings wisdom, inspiration, and fun to the art of letterwriting. Drawing from the author's personal collection of persuasive, moving, and humorous letters, this unique resource stresses the rules of form, tone, and word choice--and shows when to break them. Aimed at a general audience whose letterwriting needs may range from simple to sophisticated, Great Letters for Every Occasion combines the advantages of a model-letter book with guidelines that allow the reader to tailor them to specific needs. Drawing on years of feedback from readers of How to Say It, Rosalie Maggio has included chapters on the items that people have most requested: e-mail, faxes and memos; how to address sensitive issues--from sexual harassment to the return of a borrowed item. Here are suggested opened lines to help you get started as well as quotations that can be used in your letter. Great Letters for Every Occasion begins with a brief user's guide and provides simple, successful formulas for writing the basic fifty types of letters. Throughout, bulleted checklists of do's and don'ts make fundamental principles clear and easy to practice. This refreshing guide is sure to inspire even the most reluctant letterwriter.

Customer Reviews:

Ahmadi Review.......2007-09-04

I thought that i will get all kind of letters related to all occassions, but unfortenately there are many letter such as - Employee disciplenary could not be found.

But also i found some good letters for some different occassions.

A good reference manual.......2001-01-14

This is a valuable tool to have for reference. It is not a substitute for your own words as there are several problems with some of the samples.

The section on thank you notes should generally be ignored. The author makes several claims which go against proper etiquette and general good taste. For example, she says if a gift arrives prior to the big event, wait to send a thank you note until after the event. This is completely wrong as a thank you note should be sent *immediately* upon receipt for any gift. Most of the sample letters actually begin with the words "Thank you for..." which is also improper. The thanks are enclosed within. She also admits to going against proper etiquette by saying it's okay to close with the phrase "Thanks again." It's not okay and makes for a poorly written letter which looks to be written from a child who does not know better.

The section on employment is especially good and is a nice change from the droll letters seen by those who specialize in such letters. The section on introductions is also particulaly good. The section on apologies is excellent.

The model letters in sympathy are generally good, but certain letters are completely tactless, such as the examples written in the case of couple's divorce. Put yourself in the recipient's shoes when reading the model letters in this section to gauge how you would feel receiving such a letter in similar circumstances before you actually commit such a letter to paper and mail it off to a friend.

As a side note, the book is sprinkled throughout with small quotes from notables. They are very enjoyable and apropos.

Book Description

Writing clear and compelling letters has never been easier with this treasure trove of 300 model letters, e-mail messages, and notes for every imaginable personal, social, and business situation. Organized into 28 categories for quick reference and featuring alternate phrases for customizing letters to your needs, this indispensable resource supplies ready-to-go models for: birth, engagement, wedding, graduation, divorce, and retirement announcements; apologies, congratulations, condolences, sympathy notes, and thank youÕs; formal and informal invitations; college/job references and introductions; resolving consumer problems; addressing credit, banking, and financial concerns; tactfully declining invitations and requests; dealing with Medicare, social security veterans affairs, and other government programs; soliciting charitable contributions of time and money; and much more!

Customer Reviews:

Personal Usage.......2007-05-13

The book gives good ideas but I've only used it twice since the purchase. However, if you aren't articulate and need to see samples I would recommend this book. I just tire of using my same fallbacks and wanted to switch them up. Helped a bit but not much for me. MysticBleu

Average customer rating:

Great Letters for Every Occasion
Rosalie Maggio
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHUELY

Great Letters for Every Occasion (Hundreds of Model Letters for Every Situation)

Average customer rating:

Great Letters for Every Occasion (Hundreds of Model Letters for Every Situation)
Rosalie Maggio
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P9UN62

Product Description

Drawing from the authors personal collection of persuasive, moving, and humorous letters, this unique resource stresses the rules of form, tone, and word choice -- and shows when to break them. Aimed at a general audience whose letter-writing needs may range from simple to sophisticated, The Great Letters for Every Occasion combines the advantages of a model-letter book with guidelines that help tailor letters to one's specific needs. Drawing on years of feedback from readers of How to Say It, Rosalie Maggio has included chapters on the items that people have most requested: e-mail, faxes, and memos; to how to address sensitive issues from sexual harassment to the return of a borrowed item. Here are real letters from real people, as well as suggested quotations to open or close a letter. Great Letters for Every Occasion begins with a brief user's guide and a table of contents, and provides simple, successful formulas for writing the basic fifty types of letters. Throughout, bulleted checklists of do's and don'ts make fundamental principles clear and easy to practice. This refreshing guide is sure to inspire even the most reluctant letter writer.

Great Personal Letters For Busy People: 501 Ready-To-Use Letters For Every Occasion

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Great Personal Letters For Busy People: 501 Ready-To-Use Letters For Every Occasion
Dianna Booher
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFZCXQ

Average customer rating:

The BEST book I have found concerning Technical Contracting

EASY Money Consulting

Helpful and inspiring!

One of the few books I have read cover to cover

One of the few books I have read cover to cover

Advancing into Temp, Contract, and Consulting Jobs: A Complete Guide to Starting and Promoting Your Own Consulting Business
Jimmy Moore
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Getting Started in Consulting, Second Edition

ASIN: 0595130054

Book Description

This unique book brings you, at last, the easiest, no-risk, step-by-step process for beginning and promoting your own consulting business. This remarkable technique harnesses the full power found in a natural progression: moving from Temp to Contractor to Consultant. Jimmy’s amazing personal experience will empower you to move through all three phases comfortably.

Customer Reviews:

The BEST book I have found concerning Technical Contracting.......2005-01-16

I looked all over the web and in dozens of book stores for a "how to" book concerning technical contracting. Jimmy's book might as well be the only book on this subject. I have recycled every other book I have purchased on this subject.

I am writing this endorsement after purchasing my 5th copy of this book. I can never get my old copies back after loaning them out to other Engineering Contractors.

-Charlie Cote
Barncat Inc., Engineering Services

EASY Money Consulting.......2001-01-23

After reading this book, I promptly tossed a bookshelf full of other so-called "how-to" consulting books in the recycling bin. While the others were difficult to understand and provided sketchy details, Jimmy Moore lays out a simple, easy-to-follow, yet extremely effective methodology that anyone can use to launch or improve a career in temp, contract or consulting. I've been contracting for years and learned many surprisingly easy networking techniques for launching an engineering consulting career. My old resume that barely fit on two pages amazingly was able to fit nicely in the one page "skill-bullet" resume format - with less information yet carrying a bigger, more effective punch for busy recruiters who have little time to weed through a long, wordy resume. I also used Jimmy's step-by-step techniques to compile over 100 contract engineering agencies and their e-mail addresses. Initial results have been fantastic and the job calls should continue for months to come! And I STILL havent put all of Jimmy's techniques into action; including the website I am designing and will link up to potential clients. This book has put new life in my engineering career after hitting the "skids."

Helpful and inspiring!.......2001-01-10

Moore has a distinctive attitude toward consultants--people with a Noble Cause, who bring optimism, enthusiasm, good ideas, and expertise with them wherever they go. Captive Employees can get bogged down by meetings, beaurocracy, trying to fit the corporate mode, and having other powers decide your projects and professional development. After reading this book, I see that consultants can be more in control of all those factors. This book helps to give a framework for thinking about what it means to be a consultant, how to be an effective and successful consultant, pitfalls to avoid, and how to best serve the company you work for. It is full of helpful and practical ideas for setting consulting rates, learning new ideas, networking, and how to keep current.

I especially recommend this book to people who are new to contract work, or considering contract work!

One of the few books I have read cover to cover.......2000-11-30

This informative, highly motivational book accomplishes just what the book title says. The author speaks candidly about his experiences and has developed a step-by-step procedure that reduces risk and can help virtually anyone to get ahead, even if they are already happily employed.

One of the few books I have read cover to cover.......2000-11-30

Book Description

Inside this guide, a syndicated jobs columnist steers you to all the right places to look for work in today's market. Doing research and setting goals before you start looking are just as necessary as packaging yourself in a resume and cover letter. And try some of the interview techniques outlined here to take you one step closer to your dream job.

Book Description

ARE YOU TIRED OF THE 40-40-40-40 PLAN?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK SMARTER INSTEAD OF HARDER?
ARE YOU TIRED OF "GET RICH QUICK" SCHEMES, SCAMS, AND “FLOPPORTUNITIES”?

This book offers easy step-by-step ways to improve your income, even if you are on a low budget.

Learn how to enhance whatever business you are in now...with more effective advertising, low cost ways to reach customers, and use of the Internet.

YOUR LIBRARY SHOULD NOT BE WITHOUT THIS BOOK…it is filled with resources, websites, and vital information to help any business person HAVE A MILLION DOLLAR DAY.

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