Khrushchev and Gorbachev both had fathers named Sergei. The authors of this edited volume argue that they had a great deal more in common-but, significantly, as much that divided them. The enterprise is a natural and helpful one, not the least because many observers believe that Khrushchev's reform efforts made Gorbachev's possible. It is also a well-conceived enterprise-good questions are put to the authors by the editors. But as is often true in such undertakings, there is wide variation in the responses. Some authors attempt a serious comparison; others focus almost entirely on the Gorbachev period. Some write after doing new, original research on both periods; others, by rummaging through old stores of knowledge.
