Showdown: The Lithuanian Rebellion and the Breakup of the Soviet Empire
Political scientist Krickus argues that Lithuania's secession from the Soviet Union in 1991 was a key (if usually ignored) element in President Gorbachev's ouster and the demise of the Soviet Union. Krickus provides a concise history of Lithuania, from its formation as a state, to internal conflicts, to its finally being swallowed up by the Soviets after World War II. A long struggle for freedom followed, coming to a head with a 1991 declaration of independence. Soviet troops attempted to crush the rebellion, but international pressure caused the Soviets to acquiesce to Lithuania's status as a free state. The subsequent turmoil within the Soviet power structure forced Gorbachev out, yet his policy ofglasnost, or "new openness," had all but guaranteed the empire's collapse. Krickus was in Lithuania during 1991, acting as an elections monitor, and his firsthand experiences, plus the book's clean, vigorous prose, make this a compelling read.Brian McCombie