Revolution 1989

Praise

“A must-have accounting. . . . Sebestyen’s brilliantly written narrative unfolds in brief, gripping episodes.” —Newsweek
 
“Numerous books have [attempted] to synthesize the compelling story of the fall of communism, but Revolution 1989 comes closest to being the essential volume. Sebestyen’s elegant narrative lays out in crisp episodes what was happening . . . throughout the tumultuous 1980s.” —The Daily Beast
 
“Full of sharp snapshots and crisp narrative . . . vivid personal glimpses and striking details.” —The New York Review of Books
 
“Vivid, panoramic. . . . The writing is taut, the scene-setting dramatic, giving the book an almost cinematic feel.” —The Sunday Times (London)
 
“A digestible and colourful history of that miraculous year.” —The Economist
 
“It’s a complex story spanning many countries, but this exciting yet deeply researched work brings it impressively to life. . . . Compelling.” —The Observer

“Sebestyen’s strength is his sharp focus and racy prose. . . . Here is history written like a Greek tragedy.” —The Times (London)

“A compelling and illuminating account of a great drama in the history of our times which showed once again that ordinary men and women really can change the world.” —The Mail on Sunday
  
“A rollicking mix of high drama and sordid reality . . . spiced with telling quotations.” —The Independent
 
“A thrilling read. . . . Sebestyen is good at sketching the leading players but he also succinctly conveys what life was like for ordinary citizens.” —Daily Express
  
“Sebestyen brilliantly pulls together the events that led to the fall of the Soviet empire.” —The Spectator
 
“Superbly  written and impressively documented.” —Times Literary Supplement