The Russia Hand: A Memoir of Presidential Diplomacy

by Strobe Talbott

Book Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK - "A rich and revealing account of the turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Russia during the first post-Cold War years. . . . Essential for any understanding of this critical and even dangerous period."--Elizabeth Drew

"A fascinating memoir of a weirdly unpredictable world."--The New York Review of Books

In the eight years Bill Clinton was...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812968468
• ISBN13: 9780812968460
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Random House Trade
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A real insider on Clinton-Yeltsin...

Clinton's old friend and key Russia advisor provides insight on a number foreign policy topics as they evolve. As deputy secretary of state, his accounts provide personal, scholarly and practical accounts. The reader might determine both that Talbott was an invaluable resource as the post-Cold War era evolved, and that in the end, Clinton was his own "Russia Hand." The primary theme of the book is the relationship between Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin. As they address issues such as NATO expansion, the Balkans, economic difficulties, and each president's own personal troubles, a number of lessons emerge. First, great power politics takes place between human beings, not merely among structural or organizational frameworks. Second, the blending of idealism and realism is thorough and complex, they are not either-or options. Third, political, military, economic, domestic and international issues all impact each other, often in surprising ways. Fourth, watch out for the u in trying to explain policy making: in the generic Y=Ax+By+Cz+u, that u (for unexplained/unexpected) can often play a large role. The Russia Hand is valuable to students of foreign policy, Russia and U.S.-Russia relations, and the emergence of the post-Cold War era.

Intresting Book into the Background of the Poltical World

I have read this book almost 6 months ago, so i cannot cite any specific passages from the book, but i do feel this book was well written and was very very intresting. It is better than what some of the reviewers rated it. I liked how the book was cronologically arranged, it took you through the clinton years as if you were there almost with Strobes. The only down fall i can think of is the list of names that continued to come up. I almost broke down to making some notes so i would remmber who was who. There are so many clinton bashing books out there, it is always good to read the opposite view point.

Dealing with Russia after the Cold War

Strobe Talbott's The Russia Hand is a comprehensive insider account of US relations with an emerging democratic Russian after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The book is also an explicit record of how diplomacy actually works. I highly recommend this book for an insight and review of American FP in the 1990s.Talbott provides insights into the particulars of the many negotiations and personal bonds (or channels) that transpired between these two former foes. Talbott explores the numerous problems that divided the US and the new Russian Republic in the 1990s; including NATO enlargement, national missile defense, adapting to capitalism and democracy, wars of the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo. This book makes great reading. Not only is it a definitive political text - it's funny! Through a motley cast of characters (Bill Clinton, Yeltsin, various negotiators) and the events that they survived Talbott gives a diplomatic thriller an air of high comedy. At times Talbott's depiction Boris Yeltsin borders on caricature.To sum it all up, I am positive that anyone interested in Foreign Policy, IR, history, or even an unfortunate student looking for a subject for a book review will highly enjoy The Russia Hand. This book is a necessary read for those who wish to understand how the high-stakes game of diplomacy works in practice. And the account is delievered by one of the major players - Strobe Talbott.

Interesting - Informative

I am only seventeen and I have a Russian significant other. I didn't know anything about the country itself and wanted to learn more. This book was certainly a behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. and the new Russian Federation. It was not boring. You always were waiting for something to happen, whether it be bad or good. The writer had an incredibly positive perspective on Russia, which was good to see. They did leave out that Russia is still known for its mafia corruption and violence. But I didn't care about the Russian mafia - I was only interested in the future of Russia and what government leaders were doing to rebuild this great nation. The other is that this book was written from the point of view of a democratic administration. Being from a republican "lineage" this made no difference to me, as the book is not party aligned even though it talks about mostly Clinton. We must remember, though, Clinton was leading our country during this very touchy time. Clinton at times was indecisive of which was easier - being a president during the cold war era or during the post-cold war era. Overall a great book.

Crossing to Safety

Either hilarious or terrifying, or both, depending on your mood -- this book stunned me with its revelations about how close Russia came to blowing up in our faces in the 90's. Hair-raising and beautifully and frankly written. The Keystone Cops meets The Sum of All Fears.