A moment in history, the collapse of the Soviet empire, is examined along with the restoration of truth in the region, the truth about the brutal Soviet past and the bleak Soviet present.

Includes index.

Part 1. By right of memory : The forest coup -- A Stalinist childhood -- To be preserved, forever -- The return of history -- Widows of revolution -- Ninotchka -- The doctor's plot and beyond -- Memorial -- Written on the water -- Part 2. Democratic vistas : Masquerade -- The double thinkers -- Party men -- Poor folk -- The revolution underground -- Postcards from the empire -- The island -- Bread and circuses -- The last gulag -- Part 3. Revolutionary days : "Tomorrow there will be a battle" -- Lost illusions -- The October Revolution -- May Day! May Day! -- The ministry of love -- Black September -- The tower -- The general line -- Citizens -- Part 4. "First as tragedy, then as farce" -- Part 5. The trial of the old regime.