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4.5
The old adage, “ you can’t stop an idea whose time has come” is most prevalent in this book. Under the “cloak” of Communism, there were talented and learned people, with expertise unchallenged, who masterminded the economic climate after the fall of Communist rule. Laden with criminal activities and taking huge risks, the cast of players identified as “Oligarchs” had serendipitous moments creating an economy boom which led to tremendous profits.Gorbachev became a victim of his own success after promoting perestroika and glasnost. The advent of this nascent philosophy resulted in a mad rush to institute a “market” economy which had no laws governing it and no structure or regulations supporting it. It resembled the wild, wild, west; reminiscent of the “robber barons” of the 19th century.This was an interesting book; thoroughly defined and researched; exciting to read. It included reformers who pushed to shift the government from a “central system” to a market economy. Citizens, through a “voucher” system, were given an opportunity to own a piece of the “rock”, as it were, but somehow things became muddled with unscrupulous people and shady deals. As a result, money and power ended in the hands of a few. The “spoils of war” created an unequal distribution of wealth. The drumbeat of these unfettered chain of events can still be heard.Bruce E. McLeod, Jr.Las Vegas, Nevada24 April 2014
