Ed Hewett, recently deceased, had a remarkable command of facts about the Soviet economy and a penetrating understanding of how it worked. These qualities, and his ability to explain complex matters briefly and clearly, are beautifully demonstrated in this excellent book examining the Gorbachev reforms and their breakdown. The book, which gives special attention to the external economic relations of the U.S.S.R. (and later, Russia), was revised and updated by Gaddy, of the Brookings Institution, after Hewett joined the staff of the National Security Council.