Inside the Soviet Military

By Carey Schofield

Given unprecedented access by the Soviet top brass to military facilities and personnel, the author spent two years traveling from Leningrad in the west to Vladivostok in the east, from the Arctic Circle in the far north to the deserts of Central Asia in the south. This book is an exercise in glasnost and a "landmark in East-West relations." All aspects of military life are covered, from the organ. of the forces to the morale of the officer corps, from the daily life of the ordinary conscript to the special operations of the elite paratroopers and Spetsnaz. Looks at issues of conscription, training, career progression, and the legacy of Afghanistan. 250 full-color photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1558591605
• ISBN13: 9781558591608
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Abbeville Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 3.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 1.1" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

Best book about Soviet Union daily army life

This book is by far the best book ever published about Soviet Army`s daily life. It was made in last few years of Soviet Union and glasnost was opening the doors for author. Book includes the usual information about Soviet Army structure and weapons, equipment and different branches. But key element in this book is representing Soviet army in the level of conscripts and showing daily life and manouvres. Text is very well written and clearly shows that author has been there for real. There are no usual misconceptions or false information based on some Western sources, but real and objective writing. There are no typical "propaganda" about miserable soviet fighting man -life, rather book includes authentic describing of the army life including positive and negative things. This book is very important of certainly for its informational value, but also for its value for showing very last days of Soviet Army in way than no other western book has or will show. Photos in this book are fabulous. They are taken by Sovien Naval officer Leonid Yakutin and they are very good and crispy clear photos. Pictures show very well soldiers daily life and will make you forger all those old and grainy (and sometimes manipulated)posed pictures. This book is well worth of buying only beacuse of those pictures, believe me they are good. Only complaint is that many of the "marginal photos" are very small, and it would be nice to see those in bigger printing. But however, this is The book of Soviet Army in 80's and it is very recommendable for anyone interested in recent history and soviet army life in general!

A must have!

This is THE book on the Soviet Armed Forces as they were just before the breakup of the USSR. The author visted military units all over the former Soviet Union to provide an extensive, up-close look at the Red Army. Several of the Soviet officers we are introduced to in this book are now prominent (sometimes infamous) Russian political figures. Every branch of service is covered: infantry, the tank force, navy, air force, the elite Airborne/Air Assault units, etc. Also contains the first real look inside the near-mythical Spetznaz forces. Incredible illustrations from front to back. A real find for the Soviet/Russian military enthusiast. Do yourself a favor and find a copy of this book.