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Đất nước tôi và th� giới - Hồi tưởng & Suy ngẫm II
Đây là cuốn sách-câu chuyện của người đứng đầu cuối cùng Liên bang Soviet, viết nên. Dựa trên những kinh nghiệm của chính bản thân, dựa trên những tài liệu lịch s� phong phú, cùng những suy ngẫm v� các vấn đ� chính tr�, Mikhail Gorbachev đã đ� cập đến một loạt các vấn đ� t� quá kh�, hiện tại đến tương lai của nước Nga trong mối quan h� với toàn th� giới. T� các s� kiện như Cách mạng tháng Mười, s� sụp đ� của Liên bang Soviet đến các nhân vật ch� chốt như Lenin, Stalin, Yeltsin.
Nhưng Gorbachev không ch� dừng lại � những s� kiện trong quá kh�, mục tiêu của ông không phải là dựng lại lịch s�. Ông đưa ra một k� hoạch chi tiết th� k� tiếp theo của nước Nga, đ� xuất các cách đ� đạt được những cải cách kinh t� và chính tr� có ý nghĩa. Trong phần cuối của cuốn sách, Gorbachev xem xét vai trò của "tư duy mới" đối với một loạt các cuộc khủng hoảng hiện tại: « Cộng đồng được giải thoát khỏi s� đối đầu và Chiến tranh Lạnh, nguy cơ v� thảm họa hạt nhân đã được loại b� khỏi sân khấu trung tâm. Một s� đổi mới căn bản trong bức tranh địa chính tr� và địa kinh t� đã bắt đầu. Đồng thời và với cùng một dấu hiệu, chúng ta thấy một s� hợp nhất của các quá trình văn minh hóa toàn cầu », đ� đi đến kết luận rằng : « Tôi nhấn mạnh khía cạnh chính tr� quốc t� của tư duy mới, vì những vấn đ� toàn cầu là một trong những vấn đ� quan trọng nhất mà nhân loại s� phải đối mặt trong quá trình chuyển đổi sang một dạng tồn tại mới » ; và « Điều quan trọng là mọi người phải theo đuổi mục tiêu chung: đổi mới thực s� cuộc sống của toàn th� cộng đồng th� giới đ� đạt được những điều kiện sống mới cho nhân loại ». « Tôi tin rằng một giai đoạn cần thiết trên con đường loài người hướng tới một trạng thái hiện hữu mới, và không th� tránh được, là một s� đổi mới trong tư duy ».
Nhưng Gorbachev không ch� dừng lại � những s� kiện trong quá kh�, mục tiêu của ông không phải là dựng lại lịch s�. Ông đưa ra một k� hoạch chi tiết th� k� tiếp theo của nước Nga, đ� xuất các cách đ� đạt được những cải cách kinh t� và chính tr� có ý nghĩa. Trong phần cuối của cuốn sách, Gorbachev xem xét vai trò của "tư duy mới" đối với một loạt các cuộc khủng hoảng hiện tại: « Cộng đồng được giải thoát khỏi s� đối đầu và Chiến tranh Lạnh, nguy cơ v� thảm họa hạt nhân đã được loại b� khỏi sân khấu trung tâm. Một s� đổi mới căn bản trong bức tranh địa chính tr� và địa kinh t� đã bắt đầu. Đồng thời và với cùng một dấu hiệu, chúng ta thấy một s� hợp nhất của các quá trình văn minh hóa toàn cầu », đ� đi đến kết luận rằng : « Tôi nhấn mạnh khía cạnh chính tr� quốc t� của tư duy mới, vì những vấn đ� toàn cầu là một trong những vấn đ� quan trọng nhất mà nhân loại s� phải đối mặt trong quá trình chuyển đổi sang một dạng tồn tại mới » ; và « Điều quan trọng là mọi người phải theo đuổi mục tiêu chung: đổi mới thực s� cuộc sống của toàn th� cộng đồng th� giới đ� đạt được những điều kiện sống mới cho nhân loại ». « Tôi tin rằng một giai đoạn cần thiết trên con đường loài người hướng tới một trạng thái hiện hữu mới, và không th� tránh được, là một s� đổi mới trong tư duy ».
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
58 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Mikhail Gorbachev
141books70followersMikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was a Russian politician. He was the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the last head of state of the USSR, serving from 1985 until its collapse in 1991.
Gorbachev's attempts at reform—perestroika and glasnost—as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan, contributed to the end of the Cold War, and also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. At the time of his death Gorbachev served as the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats, a political party founded after the official dissolution of the Social Democratic Party of Russia on 20 October 2007.
Gorbachev's attempts at reform—perestroika and glasnost—as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan, contributed to the end of the Cold War, and also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. At the time of his death Gorbachev served as the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats, a political party founded after the official dissolution of the Social Democratic Party of Russia on 20 October 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 27, 2024
I read the first edition of this book as a teenager in the nineties. My French Canadian mother, may her soul rest in peace, loved Gorby because he was a pisces and she believed that the wine mark on his face made him kind.
Growing up during the cold war as a sensitive child, I was both scared and fascinated by the Soviets, as we called them back then and my knowledge of the U.S.S.R. could be summed up by Rocky 4 and the song Nikita.
When Gorbachev appeared on our TV shaking Reagan's hand, my mother was sure everything would be okay now just like she was sure Quebec would be blessed after Pope Jean Paul II visited Montreal.
She bought Gorby's book and made me read it. I didn't understand a lot of the politics but it did spark an interest in me to know more about history and educate myself about the world, its people so that I didn't have to rely on the news too much.
I can't comment on Gorbachev's decisions, moves and mistakes because I still feel like I don't know enough but I can say that he wasn't wrong about what would happen if the union dissolved.
He also understood that socialism could have worked but it would have required a long period of transition and a deep commitment from the people and their leaders.
About the October Revolution, he examines it with humanity and thoughtfulness, coming to the conclusion that a revolution is always a sign of how badly the country and its people are doing and that the real change can only come in common goals, understandings and collaboration.
So many years have passed since I watched the Wall of Berlin fall on television and so many years have passed since promises of peace were made and allegiances to never use a nuclear weapon were sworn.
There is a madman at the head of what used to be Catherine The Great's land and another one waiting in the dirty, swampy trench here on this side.
Ukraine is being battered, punished, raped for daring to extricate herself from the possessive and cancerous arms of the motherland and Yeltsin's promised happy Russia now is in ruins.
I was a teenager when I first read this book and I believed we'd seen the worst of it.
But... There have been good leaders and Gorby may have been one of them. Thus I choose to believe that there will be other good leaders to see us through these dark times.
Maybe they are teenagers right now reading a book their mother gave them...
Growing up during the cold war as a sensitive child, I was both scared and fascinated by the Soviets, as we called them back then and my knowledge of the U.S.S.R. could be summed up by Rocky 4 and the song Nikita.
When Gorbachev appeared on our TV shaking Reagan's hand, my mother was sure everything would be okay now just like she was sure Quebec would be blessed after Pope Jean Paul II visited Montreal.
She bought Gorby's book and made me read it. I didn't understand a lot of the politics but it did spark an interest in me to know more about history and educate myself about the world, its people so that I didn't have to rely on the news too much.
I can't comment on Gorbachev's decisions, moves and mistakes because I still feel like I don't know enough but I can say that he wasn't wrong about what would happen if the union dissolved.
He also understood that socialism could have worked but it would have required a long period of transition and a deep commitment from the people and their leaders.
About the October Revolution, he examines it with humanity and thoughtfulness, coming to the conclusion that a revolution is always a sign of how badly the country and its people are doing and that the real change can only come in common goals, understandings and collaboration.
So many years have passed since I watched the Wall of Berlin fall on television and so many years have passed since promises of peace were made and allegiances to never use a nuclear weapon were sworn.
There is a madman at the head of what used to be Catherine The Great's land and another one waiting in the dirty, swampy trench here on this side.
Ukraine is being battered, punished, raped for daring to extricate herself from the possessive and cancerous arms of the motherland and Yeltsin's promised happy Russia now is in ruins.
I was a teenager when I first read this book and I believed we'd seen the worst of it.
But... There have been good leaders and Gorby may have been one of them. Thus I choose to believe that there will be other good leaders to see us through these dark times.
Maybe they are teenagers right now reading a book their mother gave them...
February 28, 2010
Who among us hasn't thought, "Gosh, I really ought to read Gorbachev's autobiography and figure out just what the hell this guy was thinking?" If that thought has never occurred to you, then this book is not for you. In fact, probably none of the books I read is for you. If it has, then you probably went to your local bookstore or library and discovered that his autobiography is about 600 pages long or something. If you're anything like me, you then wandered over to the comic books.
Well, thankfully, there's this book, which at least describes much of what was running through his mind during the dark days of the Georgian and Lithuanian uprisings, the coup, and all the constitutional wrangling that went on, involving Yeltsin, amongst others. I guess it's no secret, but Gorbachev does not think much of Yeltsin. Anyway, again, I can't suggest this as a sufficient alternative to his autobiography, but it at least gives you some idea of what he was thinking in formulating glasnost and perestroika and the shocking series of events that unfolded thereafter. There's actually a fascinating and somewhat poignant bit at the beginning where he describes three truths about the world that had dawned on the politburo and made them realize that confrontation was not the answer. At least read those 20 pages if nothing else. Let me caution you: not a fun read in the classic sense of the word.
Well, thankfully, there's this book, which at least describes much of what was running through his mind during the dark days of the Georgian and Lithuanian uprisings, the coup, and all the constitutional wrangling that went on, involving Yeltsin, amongst others. I guess it's no secret, but Gorbachev does not think much of Yeltsin. Anyway, again, I can't suggest this as a sufficient alternative to his autobiography, but it at least gives you some idea of what he was thinking in formulating glasnost and perestroika and the shocking series of events that unfolded thereafter. There's actually a fascinating and somewhat poignant bit at the beginning where he describes three truths about the world that had dawned on the politburo and made them realize that confrontation was not the answer. At least read those 20 pages if nothing else. Let me caution you: not a fun read in the classic sense of the word.
October 30, 2024
This was a pretty good book. Mr Gorbachev talks about the Russian revolution and what went wrong then he talks about the breakup of the USSR. It was interesting to hear his perspective. If he were an American he would definitely be a Democrat. He talked about global warming and all of that other stuff.
He said at one point in the book that world population would be 20 Billion in the year 2100. Population growth has been decreasing each year though so now there is expected to be only 10 billion people in 2100.
I would have given the book 5 stars except for the fact that he was the top Communist of the evil empire called the USSR. That deserves at least one star taken away.
He said at one point in the book that world population would be 20 Billion in the year 2100. Population growth has been decreasing each year though so now there is expected to be only 10 billion people in 2100.
I would have given the book 5 stars except for the fact that he was the top Communist of the evil empire called the USSR. That deserves at least one star taken away.
March 29, 2023
In this tell-all memoir, Mikhail Gorbachev recounts his days at the helm of the USSR, providing his insight into the issues of the USSR, Russia, socialism, global warming, and the world overall. He holds no information back, sharing with the reader his memory of his and his country's numerous uses of force to crush dissent and opposition. Gorbachev criticizes himself and his country often, calling out the mistakes he and his predecessors made in the country, the most notable being the dissolution of it under his rule. He attributes much of this failure to pushback from reactionaries in the USSR over his social liberalization. Gorbachev argues,“History teaches us, however, that when the times are ripe for change and the government refuses or is unable to change, either society starts to decay or a revolution begins�(Gorbachev). I appreciate that Gorbachev as honest as he is, as it allows for a much clearer picture of what happened in the country, and does justice for those in the USSR that could not have that information because of the government. I learned about the history of the USSR and the struggles of governing it. I wonder if Gorbachev could have saved the USSR and how the world would be different if i still existed. Content Warning: descriptions of death and violence.
March 29, 2023
This book was an incredibly important read in order to contextualize what is going on today in Russia. It really expanded my knowledge of why the Soviet Union collapsed and how we arrived here today in the age of the Russian State. I noticed how much corruption played a part in the collapse of the Soviet Union. I truly resent the terrible things the Soviet Union did under the orders of all of its leaders, especially the Chernobyl disaster. I really do appreciate Gorbachev’s change of heart and attitude towards his country and his people after his resignation, as well as his effort to undo some of the evil he and his predecessors had unleashed on his people. It was very impressive seeing him change his perspective so quickly on his predecessors and even his own actions. This quote best shows the shift in Gorbachev's perspective and how he can learn from the damage he caused in the past.
“History teaches us, however, that when the times are ripe for change and the government refuses or is unable to change, either society starts to decay or a revolution begins.�
� Mikhail Gorbachev, On My Country and the World
CONTENT WARNINGS: This story has violence, death, and violations of human rights.
“History teaches us, however, that when the times are ripe for change and the government refuses or is unable to change, either society starts to decay or a revolution begins.�
� Mikhail Gorbachev, On My Country and the World
CONTENT WARNINGS: This story has violence, death, and violations of human rights.
April 20, 2025
In Gorbachev's book he blames every other leader in the Soviet Union for its collapse while constantly saying that he was right. The entire book is a pity party with almost no self reflection. Gorbachev kept explaining how surprised he was about the radical responses were to his radical policies. It was as if he truly believed that a slow transition would happen after his radical policies. He blamed other leaders for these radical responses.
What this book is good for is for understanding Gorbachev as a historical leader. If you read in between the lines in this book then you can see that Gorbachev was more akin to a Western Liberal than a Soviet Communist. That's what really condemned the USSR to falling apart: its leaders tried to govern how they thought the US did but in their own country. You can't ignore the backgrounds and cultures of the people you govern and just pretend that they are all Western Europeans/Liberal Americans.
What this book is good for is for understanding Gorbachev as a historical leader. If you read in between the lines in this book then you can see that Gorbachev was more akin to a Western Liberal than a Soviet Communist. That's what really condemned the USSR to falling apart: its leaders tried to govern how they thought the US did but in their own country. You can't ignore the backgrounds and cultures of the people you govern and just pretend that they are all Western Europeans/Liberal Americans.
July 27, 2020
Gorbachev, The Thinker
Mikhail Gorbachev changed the world; in the U.S. we’d say for the better while his countryman might say for the worse.
In this book, he expresses big ideas that are often utopian and high brow, and he does so sparing no criticism for the United States leaders and for his Soviet and Russian kin.
In his view, the world as a whole is largely stuck in old historical thinking in conflict with modern realities.
With an honest and non-defensive reading, it is hard to argue with his conclusions and given the current climate here and abroad they are worth thinking about.
But this isn’t a page-turner unless you are a devoted political or social scientist.
Mikhail Gorbachev changed the world; in the U.S. we’d say for the better while his countryman might say for the worse.
In this book, he expresses big ideas that are often utopian and high brow, and he does so sparing no criticism for the United States leaders and for his Soviet and Russian kin.
In his view, the world as a whole is largely stuck in old historical thinking in conflict with modern realities.
With an honest and non-defensive reading, it is hard to argue with his conclusions and given the current climate here and abroad they are worth thinking about.
But this isn’t a page-turner unless you are a devoted political or social scientist.
December 10, 2016
Een ontgoocheling. 'Mijn Rusland' leest dan ook heel stroef, met de nodige spel- en zetfouten en de eigenlijke geschiedenis liet me eveneens stevig op mijn honger zitten: naïef, eenzijdig en nogal veel weinig zeggende vage platitudes.
Jammer, want ik blijf wel geïntrigeerd door de geschiedenis van de CCCP. Als jullie betere Sovjet-tips hebben, hoor ik het graag.
Jammer, want ik blijf wel geïntrigeerd door de geschiedenis van de CCCP. Als jullie betere Sovjet-tips hebben, hoor ik het graag.
May 21, 2020
Superb. What a leader. What a human being.
How did we allow the opportunity Gorbachev created to be squandered? Today’s scholars need to reflect on that...urgently. And impress the need to follow his lead on our politicians.
How did we allow the opportunity Gorbachev created to be squandered? Today’s scholars need to reflect on that...urgently. And impress the need to follow his lead on our politicians.
May 29, 2020
Read it as a complete beginner on the topic. Still managed to takeaway a fair bit, however, the book would deserve second read.
Filled wit excerpts from speeches, which clearly show the gravity of the topics.
Part 3 of the book becomes rather repetitive.
Filled wit excerpts from speeches, which clearly show the gravity of the topics.
Part 3 of the book becomes rather repetitive.
August 2, 2020
It is unimaginable what this one politician was able to accomplish - it literally changed the world. Unfortunately, the hunger for "freedom" precluded his orderly unraveling of the Soviet Union, leading to chaos fed by the western powers. Very insightful.
June 7, 2019
góc nhìn t� một người thua cuộc..
August 10, 2014
The author wrote a very extensive essay and political memoir in regards to internal policy making process, foreign policy, globalization as well as international cooperation issues. This book was first published in Russian in 1999 and later published in English by the Columbia University Press in 2000. It is refreshing to read about the ideas, issues and lessons addressed by the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). It is certainly a book that I will read again.
July 17, 2013
Very interesting. This is a man with a lot of opinions and view points. I was actually engrossed in some parts of the book. Not engrossed as this is great or interesting. More of a why would you think that way. Not bad writing.
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