From: "Van Luu" <Van.Luu@HARPERCOLLINS.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:46:09 -0400
Subject: Archie Brown's RISE AND FALL OF COMMUNISM
THE RISE AND FALL OF COMMUNISM is a timely and comprehensive guide to the history of communism across nations and communism as it exists today.
As you may know, for over 40 years, Archie Brown has studied the history and theory of communism and communist systems across nations and continents. He has vast first-hand experience of the Soviet Union and other Communist states and has published widely on the subject. In recognition of his profound knowledge, Brown has been invited to advise government officials and committees around the worldincluding former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
I have attached some more information about THE RISE AND FALL OF COMMUNISM and of Archie Brown.
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A major new book by the internationally acclaimed Oxford scholar Archie Brown, The Rise and Fall of Communism, is published by Ecco (New York) on 9 June. Brown emphasizes the Soviet Union’s role not only in the spread of Communism but in bringing about also its ultimate demise in Europe and decline elsewhere. This highly readable book ranges widely, both chronologically and geographically, embracing China and Cuba and all actual Communist states as well as the major non-ruling parties.
The 736-page volume is divided into five sections Part 1: Origins and Development; Part 2: Communism Ascendant; Part 3: Surviving without Stalin; Part 4: Pluralizing Pressures; and Part 5: Interpreting the Fall of Communism and contains thirty chapters. They include one which defines a Communist system and another on the appeals of Communism. Particular attention is paid to the question why Communism ended in so many parts of the world when it did, while the final chapter asks “What’s Left of Communism?” The Rise and Fall of Communism is notable both for the quality of its interpretation and for the wealth of fresh information it conveys. The author uses a very wide range of new sources, including only recently available archival materials. The book benefits greatly from the fact that Archie Brown (now Emeritus Professor of Politics at Oxford University, UK) has studied Communism for more than forty-five years and has made extended visits to many Communist countries (Russia especially frequently) over four decades.
The Kirkus starred review described this book as “Historical writing and political analysis of the highest order”. Lilia Shevtsova has called it “a superb and intelligent study.” For Strobe Talbott it is “a riveting and magisterial work” and for William Taubman “a splendid book.” Former Senator Gary Hart has written that The Rise and Fall of Communism “requires and deserves space on all important bookshelves for decades to come” and former US Ambassador to Moscow Jack Matlock has called it “Must reading for anyone who wishes to understand the historical roots of the problems that confront mankind today.” Misha Glenny has written that “this book will stand as the most comprehensive, informative and wise one-volume history of Communism for many years to come” and Alfred Stepan has added: “Only Archie Brown, with his unsurpassed knowledge of the theory, history, and comparative practice of Communism throughout the world, could have written this masterful, indispensable book.”
The Rise and Fall of Communism by Archie Brown (Ecco, New York, 2009; 736 pp.; $35.99). For further information contact the Ecco Publicity Manager Van Luu (Van.Luu@HarperCollins.com).
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